Bangladesh on the Brink Again: Coup Fears Rise Just Nine Months After Sheikh Hasina's Fall

After a brief period of fragile stability, Bangladesh is once again staring into the abyss of political chaos. The interim government, led by Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, is facing mounting pressure and could collapse at any moment. Yunus has threatened to resign—sending shockwaves through a country still recovering from last year’s violent power shift that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

So how did Bangladesh return to this tipping point? Here's a look back at the sequence of events that brought the nation full circle within just nine months.

Where It All Began: Student Protests Over Job Quotas

It started in July 2024 with a surge of anger from university students over a long-standing quota system in government jobs. This system reserved 30% of posts for children of 1971 freedom fighters, sparking outrage among young aspirants who felt shut out of opportunities.

What began as peaceful demonstrations quickly spiraled into widespread violence after police cracked down on protestors.

Key Events That Shook Bangladesh

• 1 July 2024: Students blocked roads and railway lines across the country. Clashes broke out after police erected barricades.
• 16 July 2024: Protests turned deadly. Violence between students and government supporters left six people dead, fueling further unrest.
• 18 July 2024: Protestors set fire to the Bangladesh Television headquarters and other government buildings. Chants of “Remove the dictator” echoed across major cities. By now, 32 lives had been lost and hundreds were injured.
• 21 July 2024: The Supreme Court declared the quota system illegal, but protestors remained unsatisfied, demanding total abolition of the reservation policy.
• 5 August 2024: In a dramatic turn, protestors stormed Sheikh Hasina’s official residence, forcing her to flee to India. Crowds celebrated across the streets, believing change had arrived.

A Year Later, Nothing Has Changed

But that change never came.

Yunus, who took power as a neutral caretaker to initiate reforms and ensure free elections, is now on the verge of quitting. According to Reuters, Yunus has expressed frustration at the lack of political cooperation.

Nahid Islam, a key figure in the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP)—an offshoot of the student protest movement—stated:

“Yunus was brought in to fix a broken system, not just replace a leader. But without support, he's failing. People didn’t risk their lives for this.”

Growing Pressure and Return of Street Politics

Yunus had promised reforms across the political and bureaucratic spectrum. But internal resistance and political infighting have stalled all progress. Now, protests are returning to the streets.

Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) recently staged a massive protest in Dhaka, demanding a firm election date—a clear signal that public patience is wearing thin.

What’s Next for Bangladesh?

Bangladesh is once again on the edge. With no reforms, no clear electoral roadmap, and no political unity, the situation is eerily reminiscent of last year’s crisis.

If Yunus steps down, the country could spiral into another period of instability or even military intervention. The hope for a truly democratic transition seems to be slipping away, as internal political deadlock continues to derail public expectations.