Eight months have passed since Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus took the helm of the country. His extraordinary leadership skills have already started to make an indelible mark. The country has been ravaged by decades of bickering violent politics. In this fragile landscape, every step taken by the current government feels like a battle to restore, reconstruct, and revive the soul of Bangladesh. Years of bad governance have normalised a fragile economy, oppressive policing, a rigid electoral system, and the forced disappearance of citizens, all underpinned by rampant embezzlement.
This student-citizen mandated interim government is duty-bound to address these critical issues through careful, transformative reforms before handing over power to an elected political party through a fair and transparent election. Initially, the administration grappled with restoring law and order, curbing surging inflation, and countering misinformation campaigns orchestrated by defeated political forces-all the while working to maintain public trust.
Yet, under the thoughtful leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the tides have begun to turn. Within this brief period, several decisive actions have garnered widespread admiration. These include vigilant market monitoring by the DNCRP to protect consumers from exploitative profiteering, coordinated joint-force operations to quell unrest, and the mobilisation of traffic courts to enforce order on the streets. These initiatives have not gone unnoticed-especially among the country's netizens, many of whom have passionately voiced their support for extending the government's tenure by at least five more years, hoping to solidify the nation's image both at home and abroad.
In fact, some supporters have even threatened to launch a "March for Yunus" if the interim government yields to political pressure and rushes into elections in 2026.
On the other hand, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been demanding an expedited election process since August 2024, calling for the restoration of a democracy they claim has long been denied. Other political groups, however, urge Dr. Yunus's government to remain in place longer and lead the way in executing broader reforms before stepping aside.
Thus, the debate continues to intensify. Should we push for a rapid return to electoral politics, or should we first allow for deep, lasting transformations? The country stands at a crossroads, watching intently as this pivotal question shapes the days to come.
Md Sajidul Islam
Student, University of Dhaka
mdsajidulislam11@gmail.com
