The mass uprising that toppled the government of Sheikh Hasina, left a power vacuum that caused significant disruption to law and order, the civil service, and public life. Now that the interim government has finally taken control, we hope for a return to normalcy. Chief Adviser and Nobel laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus delivered a message of hope, reconciliation, and peace after arriving in Bangladesh on Thursday afternoon—exactly what the nation needs at this critical time.
Security concerns
The government’s first priority must be to de-escalate any potential for further unrest. Dr. Yunus has emphasized that restoring law and order will be his top priority. To achieve this, it is essential to get the 200,000-strong police force back on active duty, address the challenges they face, and restore the police stations that were destroyed or damaged in the post-uprising attacks. The force should also be overhauled and depoliticized. Looking forward, we hope to see the police fully in control of regular law enforcement activities, without relying on the army or other security forces.
Economic crisis
The past four weeks of deadly clashes and vandalism have inflicted significant economic losses, disruptions, and reputational damage on Bangladesh. Even before these events, the economy was struggling, so getting it back on the path to recovery will be a top priority. Three key sectors—import-export, e-commerce, and the garment industry—have been severely disrupted and must be fully revived. The government should also focus on controlling inflation, stabilizing exchange rates, and lowering food prices.
Education sector
We urge the new administration to ensure the immediate reopening of all schools, colleges, and universities. However, it is essential that the disruptive influence of party-based student politics, particularly in public university campuses and dormitories, is not tolerated.
Justice for the martyrs
We must begin the process of seeking justice for the over 500 individuals who lost their lives in recent weeks. We need both closure and reconciliation to move forward as a united nation. It is crucial to conduct thorough and impartial investigations into each death, ideally through an independent international commission led by the UN. Ultimately, these investigations should help us address and rectify the flaws in our political system that led to this tragedy.
