Ahmed Swapan Mahmud
Ten months after Bangladesh’s historic July uprising, the hope for democratic renewal and social justice has given way to profound disillusionment. What began as a mass movement rooted in the ideals of independence, transparency, accountability, and pluralism has been co-opted by a regime that appears to have abandoned those very principles. At the heart of this unraveling is Professor Muhammad Yunus and the political coalition he leads—reportedly comprising his newly formed National Citizens’ Party (NCP) and its ideological patron, Jamaat-e-Islami.
In the aftermath of the uprising, the country has been rocked by a disturbing wave of violence: Sufi shrines have been desecrated, religious minorities attacked, and women publicly harassed and assaulted. Shockingly, none of these acts have prompted serious legal or judicial action. The government’s silence has sent a chilling message: perpetrators enjoy impunity because of their close ties to those in power.
A closer examination reveals that many of those behind these attacks are affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami, its student wing Shibir, or aligned with the NCP. These groups operate under various guises—sometimes as Tohidi Janata (“pious masses”), sometimes as local religious fronts or community coalitions. In many cases, their actions appear to have occurred with the tacit approval—or at least passive tolerance—of the state. How else can one explain the total lack of accountability?
This impunity is not a bureaucratic lapse; it is a calculated political strategy. These acts of violence are not isolated or spontaneous—they reflect a broader agenda of state-enabled extremism. A state that fails to guarantee the safety of its citizens, and instead facilitates religious bigotry and vigilantism, has strayed dangerously far from its democratic mandate.
Even more troubling is the fact that the government has not merely tolerated these forces—it has legitimized and empowered them. This raises urgent questions: Why has the Yunus administration chosen to ally with reactionary Islamist forces? What compelled it to forge political ties with Jamaat and Hefazat? The transitional government initially enjoyed broad support as a neutral body tasked with steering the nation toward fair elections and democratic order. That consensus has now been decisively broken.
From the outset, Professor Yunus’s policy choices have stood in stark contrast to the people’s expectations. Citizens demanded a government committed to rooting out corruption, upholding women’s rights, protecting minorities, and defending freedom of expression. Instead, the regime has shown sympathy for war criminals, leniency toward extremists, and open hostility toward dissent and diversity.
Since assuming power, Yunus has shocked the nation with a series of controversial moves: releasing top-tier militants, pardoning convicted war criminals, appointing fundamentalists to key administrative posts, and facilitating coordination between NCP and Jamaat leaders. The signal is unmistakable—a regressive religious-political alliance has been embedded at the heart of the state.
Observers are now asking: Is Professor Yunus merely being politically pragmatic, or does he ideologically align with Jamaat and the NCP? Is this an opportunistic partnership, or part of a larger project to reshape Bangladesh’s political identity? Some analysts have likened the NCP-Jamaat relationship to that of an uncle and nephew—bound by shared interests and a common vision of dismantling democratic norms in favor of a theocratic authoritarian regime.
The situation is compounded by growing allegations of corruption within the NCP. Reports point to embezzled party funds, undisclosed foreign donations, and misuse of state resources for personal gain. Yet no credible investigations have followed. Instead, journalists and civil society actors who expose these issues face intimidation, harassment, and censorship. The NCP has morphed into an untouchable political machine.
This is a betrayal of the people’s revolution. The sacrifices made for justice, democracy, and reform are now being cynically exploited for sectarian and authoritarian ends. Those who once stood for transparency now appear complicit in repression and fundamentalism.
The only credible way forward is the immediate announcement and implementation of a free, fair, and internationally monitored national election. The regime may attempt to delay or manipulate the process, but the public has become increasingly vigilant. The political consciousness of the people has sharpened, and no amount of strategic maneuvering can restore legitimacy to a government that has so visibly betrayed its mandate.
A government’s foremost responsibility is to reflect the will of the people. Yet the Yunus administration has distorted that will. Since taking office, it has eroded the secular and democratic values of the Liberation War. Rather than promoting women’s rights, it has enabled their suppression. Instead of safeguarding freedom of speech, it has nurtured fear and self-censorship. Rather than encouraging pluralism, it has emboldened religious extremism.
Despite mounting pressure, the Yunus government appears poised to postpone the national election scheduled for December 2025 to June 2026. The reason is transparent: it fears that in a genuinely free election, the people will decisively reject the Jamaat-NCP alliance. Hence the delay tactics, constitutional sleight of hand, and manufactured crises.
But the people are ready. For the first time in over a decade, they recognize that the upcoming election is not just about changing regimes—it is about reclaiming the soul of the nation. After three deeply flawed elections in which the right to vote was largely symbolic, this moment offers a rare opportunity for genuine political awakening.
A transparent, inclusive, and timely election is the most transformative reform Bangladesh can undertake. It is the only viable path to restoring democratic norms. But questions persist: Does the current regime have the capacity—or even the intent—to conduct such an election? Or is this just another performance of delay and deception?
The answer remains uncertain, but the public’s resolve must not waver. Pressure must continue to build. The demands are clear: a confirmed election date in December, the establishment of a neutral electoral framework, and full participation of all political parties.
If the government persists on its current path, another wave of mass mobilization may be unavoidable. The people will not accept further manipulation, betrayal, or political theater. History has shown that when democracy is threatened in Bangladesh, the people rise—and their strength is unstoppable.
Ahmed Swapan Mahmud is a poet, critic, and human rights activist.
[The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bangladesh Now. The publication bears no responsibility for the accuracy of any statements made or for any potential consequences arising from the content.]
If the government persists on its current path, another wave of mass mobilization may be unavoidable. The people will not accept further manipulation, betrayal, or political theater. History has shown that when democracy is threatened in Bangladesh, the people rise—and their strength is unstoppable.
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