2 months of Bangladesh’s interim government: Hopes still persist

October 9, 2024

DHAKA – The interim government had taken oath two months ago with overwhelming public support and amid almost equally unrealistic expectations. While much of that support still remains, there are questions about its performance, which although largely premature do have genuine grounds. What might have been dismissed as initial jitters of a new government and an inexperienced cabinet appears to have become a consistent pattern due to the incumbent’s inability to decide on key issues.

Despite repeated reassurances, the incumbent has not been able to fully revive the morale of law enforcers. Giving temporary magistracy powers to the military did not solve the problem. In the meantime, there have been persistent protests among garment workers, several flare-ups in the hills with Bengalis clashing with the indigenous, alarming rise of radicals and a string of extremely brutal instances of lynchings.

As the chief adviser had rightly identified as his top priority during the initial days in office, law and order still remains a concern to a large extent. The lingering unrest in the RMG sector appears to have finally ebbed but the law enforcers need to ensure that it does not rekindle. At the same time, it seems to be escaping the incumbents that the sudden, and alarmingly visible, rise of extremist elements require special attention and need to be handled with resolve.

Almost on the brink of a major collapse, the financial sector has fared significantly better by dint of timely decisions, able stewardship and a clear show of resolve. The central bank was quick with measures to contain spiralling inflation and set up task forces to look into the health of the banks. A white paper on the state of the economy is