Bangladesh Marks Anniversary of Hasina Ouster Amid Surge in Lynching

One year after the student-led protests that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh remains deeply divided amid hopes for democratic renewal and ongoing turmoil. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, marked the anniversary with rallies and the release of the 'July Declaration,' a 28-point roadmap aiming to constitutionally recognize the 2024 uprising and promising a return to full democratic rule with elections possibly early next year. Despite these promises, the country has experienced a dramatic surge in violence and lawlessness, including over 600 lynchings, primarily targeting Hasina's Bangladesh Awami League supporters, amid rising influence of Pakistan-backed Islamist groups. Yunus’s administration faces criticism for enabling extremist factions and failing to restore order, while also engaging in reform talks with political parties and civil society. Public sentiment remains mixed, with some celebrating the overthrow of Hasina and others expressing skepticism about the prospects for a truly liberal democracy. The government has pledged to uphold the gains of the uprising, hold fair elections, and prosecute those responsible for past violence, but challenges including political repression, labor unrest, and active remnants of the old regime persist.