Is Bangladesh a 'Graveyard of Democracy' Under Yunus's Interim Government?

Dhaka, Aug 6 (NationPress) The Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student faction of the Awami League, has launched a harsh critique against the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, accusing it of dismantling democratic institutions and steering the country towards becoming a “failed and fragmented state.” The student organization declared that under the current administration, Bangladesh has essentially morphed into a “graveyard of democracy.”

The organization contended that the defeated anti-liberation forces—“Jamaat-Shibir, fundamentalist-communal groups, and terrorist-militant factions”—under Yunus's leadership, have perpetuated a “spree of killings, attacks, terrorism, and destruction” that commenced in July-August 2024.

“Democratic norms, the rule of law, freedom of speech, human rights, and voting rights - all are now on life support in the ICU. Exploiting the emotions of the people, the ideals of justice and values, the collective strength, the protesting spirit and participation of the youth- killers infiltrated, struck at the heart, awakened pain, spread anger through brutal killings, lynched police officers, unleashed terror, and took society, the state, the law, and democracy hostage,” read a statement issued by the Students’ League.

“By attempting to assassinate Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister elected by the people’s vote, they have turned August 5, 2024, into a dark day of democracy, student, people, and police killings,” the statement added.

Attacking the Yunus-led interim government, the student body claimed that “jungle law has been established” in Bangladesh, as Yunus has provided “state protection to his terrorist-militant forces”, allowing them to “commit crimes against humanity under state patronage.”

“The killers of democracy, students, people, and police have been seated on the throne of power. The people have been reduced to worthless, honorless, hopeless beings. Venom of despair and hatred has been spread across minds and communities. The air is heavy with heart-wrenching cries, silent sobs, and suffocating groans,” stated the Students’ League.

“With deep respect for the collective strength of the people’s aspirations, rooted in the values of Bangladesh’s great Liberation War, and pledging justice for the victims and injured of this meticulously planned killing mission, we vow to put an end to this oppression and backwardness. Justice will be served,” it added.

The Students’ League vowed to uproot “all anti-Bangladesh evil forces” while restoring democracy, voting rights, the rule of law, progress, and human dignity.

Describing August 5 as “Democracy, Student-People-Police Killing Day,” the student body expressed condolences to all the individuals killed and extended solidarity with the injured, calling them its source of “strength and courage.”