Significant political, constitutional, and social changes in Bangladesh followed the July Uprising of 2024 and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The uprising was initially sparked by widespread public protests and calls for reform, led to major changes in Bangladesh's political landscape.
In the immediate aftermath of the uprising, the country faced violent unrest, a constitutional crisis and the formation of the interim government. These events prompted further protests and calls for reform, as well as extensive investigations. The entire period marked a pivotal moment in the nation's history, as it reshaped the country's governance, legal framework, and social fabric.
Violence and destruction
Domestic
On 5 August 2024, following the Resignation of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh experienced widespread violence targeting political establishments, minority communities, and significant cultural sites. In Dhaka, the Awami League’s headquarters and the Jatiya Party (Ershad) central office were attacked and set ablaze by unidentified assailants.
On the evening of 5 February 2025, a large group of protesters gathered at Dhanmondi 32, responding to calls on social media for a "Bulldozer March" aimed at demolishing the site, which they referred to as a "shrine of fascism". The protest escalated quickly, with participants breaking through the entrance and vandalizing the interior, including the destruction of a mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The demolition coincided with a speech delivered by Sheikh Hasina from exile in India. In her address, she urged her supporters to oppose the interim government, labeling it as "unconstitutional", as well as referring to the vandalism of the site,
They may destroy a building, but they won't be able to erase the history.
Following the speech, Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Students Against Discrimination on a Facebook status update stated,
Tonight Bangladesh will be freed from the pilgrimage site of fascism.
Several civil society members and political organisations condemned the vandalism, while the press wing of the chief adviser referred it as "unexpected and undesirable" and stating it as a "manifestation of anger triggered by Sheikh Hasina's provocative remarks against the July Uprising".
On 7 February 2025, protesters launched an attack on the house of AKM Mozammel Haque, former Minister of Liberation War Affairs, as a part of the Bulldozer March, during which an unidentified individual at a local mosque announced that people were attacking the former minister's home, leading locals to attack the protesters. 15 individuals were injured in the attack and one later succumbed to his injuries. In response to the escalating violence, the interim government launched a nationwide crackdown dubbed "Operation Devil Hunt". By 10 February 2025, security forces had arrested over 1,300 individuals suspected of involvement in the unrest. The Adviser of Home Affairs, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, vowed that operations would continue "until we uproot the devils".
Abroad
Following incidents of violence against minorities, a Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, emerged as a lead figure in the Hindu rights movement. On 25 November 2024, Das was arrested from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on alleged charges of sedition. His arrest was based on allegations that he and others had disrespected Bangladesh's national flag by hoisting a saffron flag above it during a Hindu rights rally in Chittagong in October 2024. This act was perceived as a challenge to national sovereignty and is criminalized under Article 123A of Bangladesh Penal Code.
In response to Das's arrest, on 2 December 2024, members of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity, a far-right Hindutva group affiliated with the Vishva Hindu Parishad, forcibly entered the premises of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Tripura. The attackers vandalized property and set fire to the Bangladeshi national flag. The incident reportedly took place in the presence of local law enforcement, who did not intervene.
The Government of Bangladesh condemned the attack, describing it as "pre-planned" and a violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. In protest, Bangladesh summoned the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka to formally express its concerns. In response, India's Ministry of External Affairs described the incident as "deeply regrettable" and assured to address the situation. Later, seven individuals were detained on suspicion of being involved in the attack and three policemen posted at the Assistant High Commission area were suspended for alleged negligence in duty.
Following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-uz-Zaman and President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the formation of an Interim government to stabilize the political situation. The president initiated discussions with political leaders and dissolved the parliament on 6 August 2024, invoking emergency provisions under Article 72(1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, which allows the dissolution of parliament before its full term.
The Students Against Discrimination, lead organization of the July Uprising, proposed economist and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, then residing in Paris, to head the Interim government. After deliberations, Yunus accepted the proposal, and the government was formally finalized on 7 August 2024. Yunus was sworn in as the Chief Adviser to the Interim government on 8 August 2024 in Dhaka. Sixteen others were also sworn in as advisers to the cabinet of the Interim government.
Constitutional crisis
The formation of the interim government led to an unprecedented constitutional crisis where, the crux of the crisis being in the ambiguity of the constitutional provisions regarding the appointment of a non-elected individual, Muhammad Yunus, as head of government. Under Article 56(1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, the prime minister is required to be a member of parliament, but Yunus did not hold a parliamentary seat, creating significant legal uncertainty about his legitimacy.
The dissolution of parliament by President Mohammed Shahabuddin on 6 August 2024 raised further questions. Under emergency provisions in Article 72(1), the president had the authority to dissolve parliament, but critics argued that this provision was never intended to be used as a pretext for removing an elected government and bypassing parliamentary processes.
Sheikh Hasina condemned the formation of the interim government, calling it "an unconstitutional takeover under the guise of reform". While her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, also criticized the move, calling it "a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy". In a post on social media, he accused foreign influences of backing the government.
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh was petitioned to rule on the constitutional validity of the Interim government. Article 123 of the existing constitution states that, general elections must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of parliament. In response, the Interim government, formed a Constitutional Reform Commission and National Consensus Commission to develop a roadmap for the next general election and constitutional referendum on the July Charter alongside the election.
Judicial coup allegations
On 10 August 2024, a plenary meeting of the Appellate Division judges was scheduled, a move considered irregular and unconstitutional by many observers, including LDP Secretary-general Redwan Ahmed. This meeting was perceived as a prelude to issuing a ruling that could undermine the interim government and potentially pave the way for Hasina's return.
Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination, called for protests to be held at the Supreme Court premise. Mass protests erupted outside the Supreme Court, with hundreds of students under the banner of Students Against Discrimination, lawyers, and civil society members demanding Hassan's resignation. They accused him of attempting to use the judiciary to restore Hasina to power, calling him a "puppet" of the former regime. Asif Mahmud, one of the Adviser to the Interim government, criticized Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan for convening a full court meeting of the court's Appellate Division without consulting the government and demanded his resignation.
Following the protests, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan resigned on 10 August 2024. Five other senior judges in Dhaka also resigned, while other judges from cities such as Chattogram, Khulna, and Sylhet followed suit. In total, around twelve judges resigned or were removed as part of the efforts to restore confidence in the judiciary and cleanse it of perceived biases.
Subsequent protests
Police strike
On 6 August, the Bangladesh Police Service Association initiated a general strike, demanding enhanced security measures for its members. The association expressed regret for the role of the police force in the unrest and violence. It stated that its officers were "forced to open fire", subsequently being portrayed as the "villain". Students and several paramilitary personnel were subsequently seen directing traffic and maintaining law and order functions in across the country in the absence of traffic police. While, Bangladesh Air Force personnel were deployed to secure Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport premise. The Inspector-General of Police, Md. Mainul Islam, issued an order for all officers to report for duty by the evening of 8 August. On 11 August, retired Brigadier General M Sakhawat Hossain, serving as the adviser for home affairs in the interim government, appealed to police officers to resume their duties at their respective stations and provided assurances that their demands will be fulfilled. The strike ended on 11 August following a meeting between the association and the interim government. By 15 August, regular operations at all 639 police stations nationwide had resumed.
Bangladesh Bank protest
On 7 August, several officials from the Bangladesh Bank initiated a protest near the governor's office with an objective to compel the resignation of certain high-ranking officials due to their alleged involvement in corruption. That same day, one of the bank's deputy governors resigned, with three others expressing their intention to follow suit. On 9 August, the bank's governor, Abdur Rouf Talukder, resigned from his position, citing personal reasons.
Hindu rights protest
Between August and December 2024, reports emerge of violence against minority communities, particularly Hindus and Ahmadiyyas. Reports indicate that over 2,200 incidents of violence occurred during this period, including attacks on 152 temples resulting in the death of 23 individuals. The attacks drew condemnation from Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, who urged the interim government to "take decisive action" to protect minority communities. Particular incidents, such as the Hazari Lane violence in Chattogram and the Murder of Saiful Islam Alif is perceived to be some of the cause of these violence.
On 9 August, the Bangladesh Hindu Jagran Mancha organized a protest in Dhaka condemning the attacks on Hindus. The group called for the establishment of a Ministry of Minorities and a Minority Protection Commission, the implementation of strict laws against attacks on minorities, and a 10% quota in parliament for minority groups. Protests against anti-Hindu attacks were also held in Tangail and Khulna.
Awami League demonstration
On 9 August, thousands of Awami League supporters staged a two-hour blockade on a section of the Dhaka–Khulna highway in Gopalganj, demanding Sheikh Hasina's return. The next day, an intervention by the army to disperse the protestors escalated into a confrontation. The clash resulted in 15 individuals being injured and an army vehicle being set ablaze.
Resistance Week
On 13 August, the Students Against Discrimination announced a campaign called "Resistance Week", centred around four key demands. These demands included the creation of a special tribunal for the speedy trials of the July massacre during the quota reform and non-cooperation movements; justice for the attacks on minorities following Sheikh Hasina's resignation; the removal of government officials who supported the government, opposed the movement and suppressed the activists; and ensuring equality for discriminated officials in government sectors.