By Mohammed Iqbal
25 April 2025
Journalist | Author | Researcher
In the wake of Sheikh Hasina’s removal from office on 5 August 2024, Bangladesh entered a new chapter—one filled with cautious hope, democratic promise, and an urgent need to reckon with old ghosts. Under the leadership of Professor Muhammad Yunus, the country has experienced a wave of reforms that many had long awaited. Political prisoners have been released, the judiciary has begun to operate more independently, and international investors are returning with optimism. Yet as democratic space has reopened, so too has a dark and familiar threat: the creeping rise of Islamic extremism.
No one can deny that Sheikh Hasina’s government was deeply flawed. Her tenure was marred by grave human rights violations—extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and a suppression of dissent that pushed the boundaries of authoritarianism. Corruption thrived under the shield of state power, and her government’s handling of the opposition became a stain on the country’s democratic values. But in one area, Hasina was resolute and effective: her unflinching war against jihadist networks. Extremist groups that once carried out assassinations of bloggers, religious minorities, and Sufi figures were crushed under a heavy but necessary hand. Her “zero tolerance” policy may have been controversial in its methods, but the results were clear—Bangladesh was no longer a safe haven for Islamist militancy.
Today, the picture looks far more complicated. Since the interim government assumed power, extremist groups once silenced have found new energy. Hizb ut-Tahrir, banned but far from dismantled, held a major rally in Dhaka earlier this year. In rural districts, the radical Towhidi Janata movement has been attacking mazar sharifs and religious festivals with impunity, declaring war on what they call “cultural distortions.” Reports of temple desecrations and violence against Hindus, Christians and Ahmadi Muslims are on the rise. The absence of robust counter-extremism operations has emboldened these groups—and that should alarm us all.
Muhammad Yunus, to his credit, has steered Bangladesh into a new era of international diplomacy and economic engagement. The country has reclaimed dignity in its dealings with India, no longer seen as a junior partner but as a confident neighbour with its own interests and red lines. Foreign investment has increased, aided by Yunus’s credibility and global stature. There’s also no doubt that this administration is committed to restoring democratic institutions. But democracy is not only about elections and civil rights; it is also about ensuring the safety and dignity of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable.
And here lies the paradox. The very openness that defines this new phase is being weaponised by extremists who see democracy not as a value, but as a weakness to exploit. Most troubling is the behaviour of the newly formed National Citizens’ Party (NCP), the student-led political movement that emerged from last year’s revolution. Initially celebrated for their bravery and vision, NCP’s leadership has now come under scrutiny—not only for tolerating the infiltration of extremist elements into their ranks, but for corruption allegations that threaten to erode their credibility entirely.
What’s worse, the NCP appears to be dragging its feet on one of the most critical issues facing the nation: elections. The delay is being justified with talk of reform and inclusivity, but the longer Bangladesh goes without an elected government, the greater the vacuum for chaos and extremism to grow. If elections are not held soon, the country risks being pulled back into the grip of authoritarianism or worse—into the hands of militants who thrive on instability.
It is time for the interim government to wake up to the urgency of the moment. The threat of Islamic extremism cannot be addressed with dialogue alone. It requires strategy, intelligence, law enforcement, and a firm line—one that does not violate human rights, but does not shy away from confrontation either. Sheikh Hasina’s methods were often unjust, but her clarity on the issue of extremism should serve as a blueprint. There must be no room for radicalism in a democratic Bangladesh.
The path ahead is narrow and treacherous. Extremists are circling, the Awami League is regrouping, and public trust is fragile. Bangladesh has come too far to fall back into the hands of those who abuse power—or those who wish to dismantle the pluralism we’ve fought to preserve. This moment demands more than hope. It demands vigilance, courage, and action. If we fail now, we may not get another chance.
