A year after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s nearly 15-year rule, Bangladesh stands at a pivotal crossroads. Once seen as one of South Asia’s most dynamic economies, the country is now navigating a complex mix of political uncertainty, social reform efforts, and economic fragility. While some celebrate newfound democratic space and freedom of expression, others warn that the absence of strong leadership has led to governance paralysis, institutional gridlock, and rising public frustration.
The end of Hasina’s era marked a dramatic shift in the political landscape. Her departure was not simply the exit of a long-serving leader—it was the collapse of a tightly controlled system that had stifled opposition voices and centralized authority. Now, Bangladesh is struggling to find a new balance between progress and instability, reform and indecision.
The Fall of Hasina: A Political Earthquake
How It Unfolded
Sheikh Hasina, who led the Awami League to power in 2009 and retained it through successive elections, was forced to step down in mid-2024 following mass protests, economic discontent, and international pressure over alleged election rigging and human rights abuses.
The final trigger was a combination of:
- Rampant inflation and energy shortages
- Widespread youth-led demonstrations
- A fractured ruling coalition
- International sanctions threats, especially from Western allies
In July 2024, Hasina announced her resignation, citing the need to avoid civil unrest. A transitional unity government—comprising technocrats, opposition leaders, and civil society figures—was formed to oversee reform and prepare for fresh elections.
New Governance, New Challenges
Transitional Government: A Fragile Coalition
The interim leadership, headed by Justice Kamal Uddin (a former Supreme Court judge), pledged to restore democratic institutions, reform election procedures, and uphold press freedom. However, progress has been slow, and public confidence is eroding.
Key reforms promised:
- A neutral Election Commission
- A new Anti-Corruption Task Force
- Judicial independence
- Repeal of the controversial Digital Security Act
While some of these reforms have begun, political infighting, bureaucratic inertia, and lack of funding have delayed implementation.
Fragmented Political Landscape
The opposition, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and various leftist coalitions, remain divided on how to proceed. With no clear political consensus, policymaking has become sluggish, and the parliament has become a theater of constant disputes.
Analysts warn that too many actors with competing interests are pulling the country in different directions.
Economy: Stuck in Neutral
Recovery or Regression?
One of the most urgent issues facing post-Hasina Bangladesh is economic stabilization. After years of growth underpinned by garment exports and remittances, the economy is now grappling with:
- High inflation (hovering around 12%)
- Soaring youth unemployment (above 20%)
- Declining foreign reserves
- Low investor confidence
International donors and financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank have offered conditional support, demanding structural reforms in banking, energy pricing, and public sector efficiency. However, the political vacuum has delayed many of these commitments.
Garment Sector Woes
The Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry—Bangladesh’s export backbone—is under pressure. Western buyers, previously wary of Hasina’s authoritarian turn, now complain about regulatory confusion, labor unrest, and port delays under the new government.
Major factories have laid off workers, triggering strikes and further straining industrial relations.
Social Change: Gains and Growing Pains
Free Press Returns—Cautiously
One of the most visible changes has been the revival of press freedom. Dozens of journalists imprisoned under Hasina have been released. Media outlets once banned have resumed operations. Talk shows now feature open criticism of government policies.
Yet, challenges remain:
- Journalists report harassment by non-state actors.
- Fake news and disinformation are surging on social media.
- The repeal of draconian laws has not yet been replaced by a comprehensive media policy.
Civil Society Reawakens
Civil society groups and NGOs have become more active, addressing issues from gender violence to climate change. However, they are constrained by limited funding and uncertain legal frameworks.
Women’s rights activists have pushed for reforms in family law, while student groups demand educational reform and job creation.
But a lack of strong central leadership means many of these voices remain uncoordinated.
Security and Extremism: A Worrying Resurgence
With the collapse of Hasina’s tight security apparatus, radical groups are slowly re-emerging. In the past six months, police have reported:
- Several small-scale bombings in Dhaka and Chittagong
- A rise in online extremist propaganda
- Suspected regrouping of banned outfits like Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen
The transitional government has promised to take action but lacks the centralized intelligence control that Hasina’s administration maintained.
Experts caution that security vacuums could be exploited by both domestic and transnational terror networks if the situation isn’t addressed urgently.
International Relations: Reset or Rejection?
India and China: Balancing Act Continues
Bangladesh’s delicate balancing act between India and China remains under stress. While India welcomed Hasina’s fall cautiously, it now worries about instability spilling across the border.
China, which invested heavily under Hasina’s infrastructure initiatives, has gone quiet, suspending a few projects pending “policy clarity.”
The transitional government has struggled to define its foreign policy priorities clearly, leading to a slowdown in bilateral talks.
Western Nations and Donor Pressure
The U.S., EU, and UK praised the post-Hasina leadership for its promises of democratic reform. However, aid disbursement and trade negotiations are contingent on verifiable progress—which remains inconsistent.
Human rights organizations want war crimes accountability and protection of minority rights to be central to any future foreign engagement.
The People’s Verdict
Hope and Disillusionment
On the streets of Dhaka and Sylhet, public sentiment is divided. Some are hopeful:
“At least now we can speak freely. Before, we were afraid,” says Sabina Rahman, a university student.
Others express frustration:
“Nothing has changed except faces. Prices are still high, jobs are gone, and politicians are still blaming each other,” says Mohammed Zahir, a rickshaw driver.
Polls conducted by BRAC Institute of Governance show:
- 61% support continuing the transitional government for another year
- 54% think reforms are too slow
- 78% want elections within 12 months
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
Elections in 2026?
A major test for the interim government will be organizing free and fair national elections, tentatively scheduled for mid-2026. But there are serious concerns:
- The Election Commission lacks full autonomy.
- Electoral roll updates and voter ID systems are behind schedule.
- Rural access to polling infrastructure is limited.
Observers fear that if elections are not held transparently, or are delayed further, public unrest may return—and this time with fewer institutional buffers to contain it.
Conclusion
One year after Sheikh Hasina’s dramatic exit, Bangladesh stands on uncertain ground. Freed from autocracy but yet to fully embrace reform, the country is caught in a delicate balance between progress and paralysis. While newfound freedoms are welcome, the lack of political consensus, economic clarity, and security preparedness has stifled real transformation.
For Bangladesh to emerge stronger, it must move beyond symbolic gestures. Concrete actions on institutional reform, inclusive governance, economic revival, and security stabilization are essential. The clock is ticking—and the people of Bangladesh are watching closely.
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FAQs
1. Why did Sheikh Hasina step down?
Sheikh Hasina resigned in 2024 following mass protests, economic crises, and international pressure over allegations of election fraud and human rights abuses. Her fall marked the end of 15 years of continuous rule.
2. Who is leading Bangladesh now?
Bangladesh is currently governed by a transitional unity government headed by Justice Kamal Uddin. It includes technocrats, opposition figures, and civil society representatives, tasked with stabilizing the country and preparing for fresh elections.
3. Has Bangladesh made progress in reforms since Hasina’s departure?
Some progress has been made—such as restoring press freedom and forming a neutral election commission—but most reforms are slow and face political and bureaucratic hurdles. Many citizens feel that promises have outpaced action.
4. How is the economy performing post-Hasina?
The economy remains fragile, with high inflation, rising unemployment, and falling investor confidence. The garment sector is under pressure, and foreign reserves are dwindling, complicating the government’s recovery efforts.
5. When will elections be held again in Bangladesh?
National elections are tentatively planned for mid-2026, but delays in electoral preparations and political disagreements raise concerns about the timeline and credibility of the process.