Tarique Rahman’s BNP, which swept to power in Bangladesh in February, has dragged its feet on key reforms that it had earlier agreed to with other political parties under the July Charter.
Tarique Rahman’s BNP, which swept to power in Bangladesh in February, has dragged its feet on key reforms that it had earlier agreed to with other political parties under the July Charter. IMAGO / Anadolu Agency
Politics

Resentment simmers in Bangladesh as the BNP stalls reforms

Tarique Rahman’s administration has let several reform ordinances lapse, despite campaign promises from the BNP to prevent a return to authoritarian governance structures
Maruf Hasan

Maruf Hasan is an investigative journalist based in Dhaka who has reported on Bangladesh for international outlets including The New York Times, Reuters, AFP, Al Jazeera Mubasher, Anadolu Agency and Dawn.

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For thousands like 21-year-old Saiful Islam, the outcome of the July 2024 student-led uprising in Bangladesh that ousted Sheikh Hasina was not just the fall of an autocratic and repressive regime but also the possible beginning of a broader restructuring of the state. Now, as a new government led by Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) dilly-dallies over the country’s long-cherished democratic reforms, Islam feels betrayed.

“This government is once again moving towards authoritarian rule by failing to implement the referendum verdict,” Islam said as he took part in a protest in Dhaka in April. Bangladesh held a referendum alongside its parliamentary election in February, presenting the public with a choice on key constitutional reforms. Rahman and his party had campaigned to secure support for the referendum proposals. More than 60 percent of voters backed the reform package. 

“We will implement the referendum verdict at any cost,” Islam added.

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Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina
politics
Awami League
Muhammad Yunus
government
Himal Southasian
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