The interim regime in Bangladesh led by Mohammad Yunus is facing a mounting crisis amid deepening political instability, internal discord and intensifying public protests. Nine months after replacing Sheikh Hasina in a controversial power shift, Yunus appears increasingly isolated and may soon step down, according to political insiders.
Yunus Feels Like A ‘Hostage’
Student leader and former government advisor Nahid Islam, now the founder of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has said Yunus is contemplating resignation. “He said he feels like a hostage in this situation and finds it increasingly difficult to operate,” Islam stated after a recent meeting with the interim leader. “The lack of unity among political forces and growing pressure from all sides is breaking his resolve.”
Yunus, once seen as a beacon of change by opponents of Sheikh Hasina, now faces accusations of enabling religious hardliners, sidelining pro-India diplomacy and failing to stem a wave of violence targeting minorities. His pivot towards Pakistan and perceived leniency towards anti-India elements have only fuelled tensions further.
Yunus Ties With Military Strained?
Sources in Dhaka suggest that Yunus’ relationship with the military has also deteriorated. Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has reportedly issued a stern ultimatum: either conduct national elections by December or face institutional consequences. This pressure from the armed forces coincides with mass demonstrations by student groups and political parties alike, demanding his resignation and immediate elections.
According to reports, the NCP, once allied with Yunus, has taken a confrontational stance, accusing the Election Commission of collusion with Khaleda Zia’s BNP. “The Commission has become an extension of the BNP headquarters,” an NCP spokesperson charged during a protest rally in Dhaka. The party is pushing for a free and fair electoral process before the year-end.
As the interim government unravels, observers point to a stark reversal of fortunes for Yunus, who had once vowed to erase the influence of the Hasina era. Today, he faces the same kind of ouster he helped orchestrate.
India Moves To Deport Illegal Immigrants
Across the border, India is tightening its stance on illegal immigration, particularly with regard to Bangladeshi nationals. During a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that over 2,360 Bangladeshi nationals are awaiting deportation, many of whom have already served prison terms.
“We have a large number of Bangladeshi nationals here who are required to be deported,” Jaiswal said. “Verification of nationality has been pending in many of these cases since 2020. We urge the Bangladeshi side to expedite the process so that deportation can be completed.”
New Delhi has expressed growing frustration over the delays, noting that many of those on the deportation list were convicted under immigration and security laws but remain in India due to bureaucratic hold-ups.
