Bangladesh at the Crossroads — Democracy Under the Lens
By Sanjeev Oak
Bangladesh today stands at a critical juncture. The promise of democratic renewal after mass protests in 2024 now faces the harsh test of legitimacy, fairness, and stability. Without inclusive elections and strengthened institutions, the transition risks entrenching power while undermining public trust.
Since August 2024, Bangladesh has been under an interim government following mass protests that forced the long-standing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to step aside. Initially welcomed as a chance for reform, accountability, and a fresh political start, the transition has instead revealed deep fractures in the country’s democratic fabric. While macroeconomic indicators like inflation and foreign reserves show improvement, the deeper question remains: can governance regain credibility, or will power merely shift hands?
“What was meant to be a fresh start risks becoming a consolidation of control.”
Emerging Patterns and Persistent Challenges
The ban on the Awami League and its student wing, justified by claims of security threats, has heightened fears of selective justice. Opposition parties, notably the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), are demanding elections by December 2025, but delays and unclear timelines have only deepened public distrust. Ordinary citizens increasingly report dismissals from jobs, limited access to administrative processes, and shrinking civic space.
Civil society and student movements remain active, but their voices face institutional constraints. The dissonance between official rhetoric and on-ground realities has created a credibility gap. Protests have moved beyond simple policy grievances; they now question the very legitimacy of governance.
“Youth protests have become a referendum on legitimacy, not merely policy.”
Religious identity and secularism are emerging as new faultlines. Islamist groups, previously marginalized, are regaining influence, raising concerns among women, minorities, and secular citizens about the future of pluralism and rights protections. Without careful safeguards, these divisions could undermine both social cohesion and political stability.
Steps Toward a Credible Transition
- Election Timelines Must Be Clear and Binding
Elections need to be held on a pre-announced date, allowing all major political parties, including the Awami League, to contest freely. Predictable, fair elections are central to democratic legitimacy. - Strengthen the Election Commission and Oversight
Independent, transparent observers should be allowed full access. Oversight must be genuine, with no room for politically affiliated or compromised entities to influence outcomes. - Judicial Independence and Rule of Law
Past protests and political cases must be adjudicated with full due process. Collective bans or arbitrary punishments undermine the very principle of justice. - Preserve Civil Liberties
Freedom of speech, assembly, and dissent must remain protected. Forceful suppression risks alienating citizens and eroding trust in institutions.
“An opposition silenced is not merely defeated in elections, but in spirit.”
Implications for India and the Region
Bangladesh’s trajectory matters far beyond its borders. Political stability, economic cooperation, migration management, and border security are directly linked to Dhaka’s internal governance. A democratic Bangladesh that respects rights and pluralism strengthens regional trust. A state that suppresses dissent risks internal radicalization and diplomatic complications.
“If legitimacy is built not by participation but by oppression, elections become hollow ceremonies.”
Final words
Bangladesh’s future hinges on whether it treats this interim period as an opportunity for genuine democratic consolidation or as a pause before power is re-entrenched. Public trust, civil liberties, fair elections, and robust institutions are non-negotiable. Only then can the promise of 2024 — a politically plural, socially inclusive, and accountable Bangladesh — be realized.
“A credible democracy is measured not by the absence of protests, but by the presence of participation.”
Without decisive action, the country risks repeating cycles of unrest, legitimacy crises, and polarization. The interim government has the rare chance to transform uncertainty into durable democratic gains — but the clock is ticking.