December 6: Bangladesh Marks the Fall of H.M. Ershad and Return to Democracy
Today is December 6. A significant day in the political history of Bangladesh. On this day in 1990, facing a mass uprising, the then military ruler H.M. Ershad resigned and transferred state power to a caretaker government. This marked the end of nine years of autocratic rule and the country began its path back to democracy.
Echoes of One-Eleven? Joy Alerts About Renewed ‘Refined Awami League’ Narrative
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has alleged that there is an undemocratic effort underway to bring changes to the leadership of the Awami League. He said that “a game is being played from abroad” to change the party’s leadership. However, he did not clarify what exactly he meant by “game” or who is involved in it.
Analyst Describes August 2024 Shift in Bangladesh as a Foreign-Controlled Coup
Political analyst and writer Anwar A. Khan has described the political change that took place in Bangladesh in August 2024 as the hijacking of democracy. According to him, it was a planned coup, in which domestic political forces, the international arena, and military influence worked together.
College Student Arrested for Posting TikTok Video with ‘Joy Bangla’ Song
Police arrested him on Monday night (17 November) from the South Ketranga area of Parshuram upazila in Feni. On Tuesday (18 November) afternoon, he was sent to jail through the court.
After the Verdict, Sheikh Hasina Issues a Response; Awami League Announces New Program
The International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka announced the verdict against Sheikh Hasina on Monday. Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has been sentenced to death. After hearing the verdict, the exiled Sheikh Hasina has now issued a reaction.
Exclusive: Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming verdict prompts son Sajeeb Wazed to address ongoing party ban
Supporters of Bangladesh’s ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will move to block the upcoming February national election unless a ban on the Awami League is lifted, her son and adviser Sajeeb Wazed warned on Sunday. Speaking to Reuters on the eve of a highly anticipated televised verdict, Wazed said the Dhaka court is widely expected to convict the 78-year-old leader in absentia on charges of crimes against humanity linked to the deadly 2024 student protest crackdown—allegations Hasina has rejected as politically motivated.
Nationwide Bombings and Arson Trigger Public Panic
Security has been intensified across Dhaka and other parts of the country as the verdict in the crimes against humanity case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—stemming from the July uprising—is set to be announced. The prohibited political party Awami League has called for a countrywide shutdown, prompting heightened concerns of sabotage. Dhaka District Police and other law enforcement agencies have moved into a strict security posture in response.
Two Crude Bombs Exploded in Front of Adviser Rizwana Hasan’s Residence
Two crude bombs (cocktails) exploded consecutively in front of the residence of Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, on Central Road in the capital. The explosions occurred around 9 p.m. on Sunday night. However, no one was injured in the incident.
Dhaka Sees Three Separate Cocktail Blasts; Motorcycle Burns in Hatirjheel
Explosions of crude bombs (cocktails) occurred in Mirpur, Pallabi, and Hatirjheel in the capital. In the Hatirjheel blast, a motorcycle caught fire.
Exclusive: Exile Has Not Broken Her—Sheikh Hasina Shares Her Outlook on Bangladesh’s Future
Exiled from her country but unwavering in resolve, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has spoken publicly for the first time since her departure, outlining her concerns over Bangladesh’s political trajectory and warning of rising extremism. In a candid and assertive conversation, she reflects on her years in power, acknowledges missteps, defends her legacy, and stresses that any meaningful return to stability will require a fully participatory democratic process. While voicing determination to return home, she insists her goal is not power, but the restoration of voter rights, democratic institutions, and national security.