After Sheikh Hasina's resignation, an interim government has been sworn in Bangladesh. The interim government is headed by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a renowned former banker and professor. Dr. Yunus is internationally recognized for founding the Grameen Bank and introducing the 'Microfinance Scheme,' which provided small loans to the impoverished, especially women in rural areas. This initiative significantly reduced poverty in Bangladesh, contributing to the country's rapid development. Dr. Yunus is highly esteemed in Bangladesh for his contributions.
Dr. Yunus was nominated for the position by the liaison committee of Students Against Discrimination, the leading organization behind the Kota movement. A majority of the 16-member "Advisory Council" has pledged support for Dr. Yunus, who was sworn in on August 8.
The council is referred to as an "Advisory Council" instead of a cabinet, and its members are called "advisors" instead of ministers because the Bangladesh constitution does not provide for an interim cabinet or prime minister. This highlights the constitutional and legal challenges faced by those who assumed power after Sheikh Hasina's departure. However, given the extraordinary circumstances and problems Bangladesh is currently facing, extra-constitutional measures may be necessary to restore order, according to a prominent legal expert.
The most pressing issue is the deteriorating law and order situation, which has left the country in chaos for nearly a week. The police are absent from their duties and stations, forcing students to manage traffic control in Dhaka. In other regions, students and the army are working together to prevent riots, looting, and attacks on the homes of former government officials, minority-owned properties, and places of worship. However, the absence of police has made this task challenging. Dr. Yunus has identified the restoration of law and order as his top priority, stating that without it, Bangladesh cannot return to the path of development.
Despite the formation of the interim government, uncertainty continues to loom over Bangladesh, and it remains unclear what direction the situation will take. Dr. Yunus has pledged to uphold the constitution and hold new elections as soon as the law and order situation improves. The parliamentary elections held in January were boycotted by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the country's largest opposition party. The Awami League secured two-thirds of the parliamentary seats after Jamaat-e-Islami was disqualified from the elections by Sheikh Hasina's government. The announcement of new elections by the interim government is expected to be welcomed by political parties.
The future political role of the students who led the movement against Sheikh Hasina's government is uncertain. It remains to be seen whether they will form their own political party or continue to act as a pressure group. Before the interim government was established, the Student Committee announced that no party, individual, or group would be allowed to exploit the sacrifices made by the students. Recognizing the students' role in restoring peace and order, two student representatives, Nahid Islam and Asif Mehmood, have been appointed as advisors in the interim government. These students from Dhaka University played a crucial role in the successful movement against Sheikh Hasina's government. They are also members of the committee established by the interim government to liaise with civil society and students. This committee will submit recommendations to the interim government after consulting with various stakeholders.
Currently, students are the most influential group in the interim government of Bangladesh, and their opinions have been prioritized in decision-making, including the appointment of Dr. Yunus as the chief advisor and the dissolution of parliament. However, the role of students in the upcoming parliamentary elections and beyond remains uncertain. Another unresolved issue is the future of the Awami League. The party has not been included in the interim government. It is unclear whether the Awami League will be excluded from the future political setup, which would require legal and constitutional justification. If the interim government becomes entangled in these issues, the upcoming elections may be delayed, allowing apolitical and anti-social elements to gain influence.
Although Sheikh Hasina's government has been overthrown and she has fled, the Awami League remains a significant force in Bangladesh. The party has deep roots in the country, having played a pivotal role in the politics of United Pakistan and later in the 1971 independence movement. The Awami League's founder, Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy, was instrumental in drafting the 1956 constitution and persuading other political parties in East Pakistan. The Awami League also played a vital role in the 1968-1969 anti-Ayub movement. Since its inception, the party has focused on the politics of East Bengal (renamed East Pakistan after 1955).
The Awami League's stance on key issues, such as the national language, provincial autonomy, the electoral system, and the relationship between state and religion, has always differed from that of the Muslim League and other right-wing parties. However, the majority of Bengalis have supported the Awami League, which is why it won the provincial elections in 1954 and the general elections in 1970, surpassing all other political parties in East Pakistan. The Awami League has long been considered the most popular and organized party in East Pakistan. Even today, the party's supporters are primarily from urban areas, representing the interests and ideologies of the lower and middle classes and advocating for Bengali nationalism. As long as people with this mindset exist in Bangladesh, the Awami League will continue to thrive.
Perhaps this is why Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wajid, who is currently abroad, has announced that the Awami League will fully participate in the upcoming elections, and he himself may enter politics if necessary. It remains to be seen whether the interim government of Bangladesh will allow the Awami League to participate in the upcoming elections.
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