The unfolding events in Bangladesh leave no room for doubt-the nation stands precariously at a perilous crossroads. The interim government, once heralded as a beacon of hope following the ouster of a despotic regime, now faces a rapid and alarming collapse of public confidence. While countless citizens, including this commentator, desperately hope for its success, the government's glaring incompetence and disorganized handling of critical issues have ignited widespread fears of imminent failure, threatening to plunge the nation into deeper turmoil.
The political landscape has been increasingly volatile, with surreal and frightening incidents becoming alarmingly frequent. Lawyers, tasked with upholding the rule of law, disgracefully hurled eggs at a judge in his chambers. Numerous impoverished citizens flocked to Dhaka, duped by false rumors of interest-free loans. Angry protesters attacked newspapers for their political stances.Unruly students vandalized streets and campuses in the capital with vague demands. Disgruntled rickshaw pullers clashed with police and military personnel. Communal rioters invaded public spaces, and murdered a lawyer who opposed their leader's bail.
These incidents are not isolated aberrations-they are rather symptomatic of a nation unraveling, exposing the interim government's inability to manage even routine governance, let alone the profound crises confronting the country.
The interim government, nearly four months into its tenure, has miserably failed in its most fundamental responsibility-maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety. This failure raises serious questions about the government's ability to implement the wide-ranging reforms it has promised, reforms that are certain to invite fresh waves of opposition. Unlessthe government urgently changes course,its failure may plunge the nation into prolonged chaos.
Recent statements from some government leaders attributing turmoil to external influences, ingrained domestic interests, and other disruptive forces only underscore their inexperience and lack of governance capacity.Given that they assumed power by dislodging a deeply entrenched political regime, they should have anticipated these challenges from the very outset. While the government has engaged with some political parties, it should realize that these actors are clearly pursuing their own agendas, and their cooperation will endure only as long as the government aligns with their interests.
The government must also acknowledge that foreign powers-especially India, China, and the United States-each with significant geopolitical stakes in Bangladesh, are constantly adjusting their strategies to the rapidly changing dynamics. While the recent expressions of support for Professor Yunus by some European diplomats are encouraging, these actors are not the central players in Bangladesh's complex geopolitical landscape.
Perhaps most troubling is the government's failure to grasp the fact that unlike prior caretaker governments, which were the product of negotiation and consensus, they came to power riding on a revolutionary event that overthrew a well-entrenched authoritarian regime. Yet instead of leveraging this revolutionary mandate to dismantle the old power structure, the government has appeared hesitant, disorganized, and ill-prepared for the monumental task at hand.
As a result, the country is in a critical juncture in all practical purposes. The situation-involving both domestic and external forces-is extremely alarming. The government must take decisive and bold action. The alternative is a descent into anarchy that will irreparably harm the nation's prospects for stability and progress.
HERE IS WHAT THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT MUST DO
1. Restore Law and Order Immediately. Easier said than done, no doubt-but ensuring public safety must be the government's absolute, unwavering priority. Law enforcement must be deployed strategically and decisively to contain unrest and violence before it spirals out of control. Acts of lawlessness-be it communal riots, vandalism, or vigilante justice-must be met with a firm yet judicious response that reinforces public trust, not erodes it. Establish rapid-response teams equipped to address flashpoints of disorder with speed, precision, and visible authority, demonstrating the government's firm resolve to restore order and protect citizens.
2. Engage Stakeholders and Address Grievances. Conduct dialogues not only with selected political parties, but also with labor unions, and protest groups to negotiate feasible interim solutions. At the same time, take firm steps to counter misinformation and rebuild public trust through transparent communication campaigns that clarify the government's intentions and dispel damaging rumours spread through social media outlets.
3. Overhaul Governance Mechanisms. Establish a crisis management task force incorporating capable experts in law, public policy, and administration to guide the government's policies and actions. Replace ineffective advisers with competent individuals who can develop and execute strategies to restore order and public confidence. Make transparency and accountability hallmarks of the administration.
4. Clarify Constitutional Mandate. The government has squandered precious time in addressing the glaring constitutional ambiguities that threaten its very legitimacy. It must immediately engage eminent legal and constitutional experts to validate its legal authority, clarify its constitutional position, and chart a transparent, actionable roadmap for governance. Take the bold step of replacing the embattled president, whose continued presence erodes the government's legal and moral authority.
5. Deliver Tangible Results Now. The government must urgently prioritize delivering tangible results to restore public trust and stability. Key actions should include reducing crime and violence, ensuring justice for victims of the previous regime's abuses, and alleviating economic hardships by lowering the prices of essential goods. The government must also remove public officials complicit in the fallen regime's misrule and despotism, while holding corrupt elements accountable.
6. Reignite Revolutionary Zeal. The government must urgently reconnect with the revolutionary spirit that propelled it to power. To sustain its legitimacy, the government must align its policies and actions with the aspirations of those who fought for the change. The government must acknowledge the magnitude of the challenges, rally public support with bold leaderships, and implement a robust and consistent communication strategy.
7. Establish a Clear Transition Timeline. Finally, to reassure the public of its intentions, the government must set a realistic but firm timeline for key milestones, including stabilizing law and order, addressing economic challenges, and transferring power to an elected government through free and fair elections. It must send a clear and credible message about its temporary mandate, and leave long-lasting reforms to the elected governments.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING: The interim government must recognise that the nation stands at a critical juncture, where inaction or wavering is no longer an option. It must act boldly and decisively-not merely to restore stability, but to fulfil the revolutionary mandate entrusted to it. Every day of wavering deepens the crisis, erodes public trust, and threatens the country's future.
To navigate this perilous moment, the government must focus on its core priorities, reshuffle the cabinet with competent individuals, and hold them individually accountable for delivering results. The government must understand that it has a fleeting opportunity to turn the tide. Failure to seize it will condemn the country to chaos, and history will not forgive those who let this moment slip away.
Dr. Dowlah is a retired Professor of Economics and Law in the United States. Currently, he serves as the Chair and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Institute of Policy Studies www.bipsglobal.org