Is Bangladesh slipping into authoritarianism?
On June 7, on the eve of Eid ul Azha, the Chief Adviser to the interim government in Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, delivered a televised address to the nation, promising to hold elections in April 2026. He also announced that the country would witness the launch of the 'July Proclamation', which had been earlier planned by student activists to 'bury' the Constitution of Bangladesh, as it is linked to the founder of Bangladesh and Awami League co-founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Prof. Yunus said that the document will 'include a list of reform proposals, agreed upon by all parties, aimed at building a welfare-oriented state.' As the interim government of Bangladesh has announced that there could be constitutional reforms, there are concerns that the country is slipping into authoritarianism.
Is Bangladesh slipping into authoritarianism? Here we discuss the question.
Guests: Smruti S. Pattanaik, Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses; Sanjay Pulipaka, Chairperson of the Politeia Research Foundation
Host: Kallol Bhattacherjee
Audio edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian
You can now find The Hindu's podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for Parley by The Hindu.
Write to us with comments and feedback at socmed4@thehindu.co.in
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Yunus Hints At Early Elections For Bangladesh, Around February 2026, But...
Last Updated: Muhammad Yunus mentioned that the feasibility of this earlier schedule hinges on 'enough progress' being made on essential political reforms in the coming months In a significant development for Bangladesh's political landscape, interim leader Muhammad Yunus has suggested that the country's next national elections could occur as early as the week before Ramadan begins in February 2026. This expedited timeline follows his recent announcement that the polls would take place around April next year. Yunus mentioned that the feasibility of this earlier schedule hinges on 'enough progress" being made on essential political reforms in the coming months. The statement was released jointly from Yunus's office after a high-profile meeting in London with Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). As the main opposition party, the BNP's active participation is crucial for the legitimacy and inclusivity of the upcoming elections. This meeting signals a potential easing of political tensions and a willingness among key stakeholders to engage in discussions about the electoral process. Although Yunus did not provide specific details about the reforms, they are generally understood to include measures to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. For years, the BNP and its allies have demanded a neutral caretaker government to oversee the elections, a major point of contention that led to the party boycotting the general elections in 2014 and 2018. While Yunus heads an interim administration in Bangladesh, the focus on 'reforms" suggests ongoing discussions about the independence of the electoral commission, voter registration processes, and ensuring equal opportunities for all political parties. The timing of the elections, scheduled before Ramadan, is also a critical factor. Holding elections prior to the holy month would allow for a dedicated campaign period and polling without the logistical and social complexities that often arise during Ramadan, which begins around late February or early March in 2026. The polls will take place without the participation of the Awami League, Bangladesh's former ruling party, which remains banned under Yunus's government. Earlier this month, prosecutors officially charged former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with crimes against humanity for her alleged role in violent crackdowns during the 2024 uprising. (With agency inputs) About the Author News Desk Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 14, 2025, 04:40 IST News world Yunus Hints At Early Elections For Bangladesh, Around February 2026, But...
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- The Hindu
Israel-Iran conflict to impact oil supply to India, increase export costs by 40-50%
Israel's attack on Iran and heightened tensions in the area pose significant risks to India in terms of curtailed supplies of oil and a 40-50% increase in the export costs, according to analysts and trade experts. Early on Friday (June 13, 2025), Israel said it had struck 'dozens' of nuclear and military targets in Iran, following which Iran reportedly retaliated with drone strikes of its own. Following these developments, global oil prices jumped about 8% in a single day, sparking fears that a sustained escalation could push inflation in India up, since it imports about 80% of its oil requirement. Problems for India 'The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict is likely to pose risks to oil supply even though India does not directly import large volumes of oil from Iran,' Amit Kumar, Partner and Energy & Renewables Industry Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat told The Hindu. 'India imports more than 80% of its crude oil needs. Hence, even if direct imports from Iran are minimal, global price spikes due to conflict will raise crude oil import costs.' Further, Mr. Kumar said that around 20% of global oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is located between Iran to the north and the Arabian Peninsula to the south. 'Any disruption around the Strait of Hormuz may affect oil shipments coming from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE who are key suppliers for India,' he added. Disruptions in this area could also significantly hurt India's exports in terms of time as well as costs, according to Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of the Engineering Exports Promotion Council of India. 'The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East once again closes access to the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, which will have a huge cost and time escalation for Indian exports by ship,' Mr. Chadda told The Hindu. 'Going around the Cape of Good Hope will add about 15-20 days per ship and $500-1,000 per container, which effectively works out to a 40-50% increase in costs,' he added. Impact on prices While oil prices immediately surged following Israel's attack, they are expected to settle back down, according to Norbert Rücker, Head of Economics and Next Generation Research at Julius Baer. 'Our best guess is that this latest conflict eruption follows the usual pattern, with prices rising temporarily before returning to previous levels,' Mr. Rücker said. 'The oil market is very resilient today and supplies are unlikely at risk. Storage is ample, spare capacity plentiful, and exports grow outside of the Middle East.' The price of gold, too, surged to above Rs 1 lakh per 10 grams following the attack as investors flocked to 'safe haven' assets. 'In times of conflict and uncertainty, gold remains the go-to hedge for both institutional and retail investors,' Amit Jain, co-founder of Ashika Global Family Office Services said. 'What we're witnessing isn't just a knee-jerk reaction. It's a continuation of a broader structural uptrend driven by central bank accumulation, weakening fiat confidence, and long-term inflationary concerns.'
Deccan Herald
11 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Bangladesh interim government head signals possible early election
Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel peace laureate who has led an interim government since August, was responding to a suggestion from Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who urged the vote be held before Ramadan, which begins in mid-February 2026.
