Crisis mounts for interim govt amid escalating unrest, discontent

The interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus is facing a deepening crisis, as mounting protests from civil servants, educators, and political parties converge into a chaotic and increasingly unmanageable situation.

Sources indicate that the administration is under sustained pressure from nearly every sector of society and that widespread discontent, administrative paralysis, and political instability now threaten the very functioning of the state.

“This turmoil has arisen due to the interim government’s incapacity to run the state. The protests by government employees pressing home their demands are signs of weak governance,” Prof Sabbir Ahmed of the Department of Political Science at Dhaka University said this to reporters.

Prof Sabbir warned that continued mismanagement could lead to further instability.

“It appears this government has a tendency to impose decisions on the people. After all, it is not a political government and lacks the experience to run the state. Therefore, it should hand over power to an elected government to avoid widespread disorder,” he explained.

Widespread discontent is growing among various social and professional groups, while the law and order situation continues to deteriorate.

Meanwhile, the business community is expressing dissatisfaction, and the industrial sector is facing severe setbacks, driven by issues such as an inadequate supply of essential utilities.

Currently, numerous groups are staging demonstrations across Dhaka and other parts of the country, placing the government under considerable strain.

Daily life in the capital has become increasingly difficult, with many citizens unable to access essential public services due to disruptions caused by ongoing protests at various government offices.

Administrative operations have been significantly hampered as demonstrations by government employees continue both inside and outside the secretariat.

A protest by National Board of Revenue (NBR) staff against a government decision to restructure the agency has forced authorities to reconsider their plans. In addition, 25 civil service cadres began a work abstention on Tuesday over inter-cadre disparities.

Road Transport and Bridges Ministry's Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan commented, “We are not viewing these protests negatively, as people were unable to voice their demands under the previous regime. This is why we are not taking harsh actions against the movements.”

Mounting discontent among professionals

The secretariat has been plunged into crisis, with activities paralysed for the past four days as employees protest against the Government Services (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

Meanwhile, demonstrators under the banner of “July Manch” staged a rally outside the Secretariat on Tuesday, demanding the dismissal of bureaucrats opposed to reforms and the trial of those “aligned with fascism”.

The NBR remains in disarray, as its staff continue to oppose the decision to split the tax authority and are calling for the chairman’s removal.

Across the country, assistant teachers at government primary schools launched an indefinite work abstention on 26 May, while 25 civil service cadres are observing a “pen-down” strike from Tuesday.

Political turmoil deepens

The nation is also grappling with political unrest, as trust in the interim government erodes among major political parties.

Contentious issues include the Rakhine Corridor, the decision to outsource Chattogram Port management to a foreign firm, the swearing-in of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, and the delayed announcement of a national election roadmap.

Parties suspect a “special motive” behind recent government actions and have voiced strong opposition.

The BNP has demanded the resignation of controversial government advisers, including Asif Mahmud, Mahfuz Alam, and Khalilur Rahman.

Supporters of Ishraque Hossain have continued demonstrations in the capital, demanding his oath-taking, which has disrupted Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) services for more than ten days.

Meanwhile, students and activists from Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal are staging protests on the Dhaka University campus and in the Shahbagh area, calling for the arrest and trial of the killers of SM Shahriar Alam Shammo.

Amid this unrest, only a few voices have called for a concrete roadmap for the next general election, demanding it be held by December to facilitate a return to democracy. However, the interim government insists that elections will be held sometime between December this year and June next year.

In an effort to defuse tensions, Prof Yunus met with top leaders from 20 political parties, including the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the NCP, on 24-25 May. However, the talks yielded little progress. BNP leaders warned they would withdraw support if the government failed to act impartially.

“We are disappointed that the statement released by the Chief Adviser’s press secretary did not include a clear roadmap for the national election,” said BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Dr Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), echoed this frustration in a press conference at the same day.

“The government has already been in office for nine months. It is time to clearly state whether the election will be held in December, January, February, or March. This ambiguity must end," she said.

Business climate worsens

The business environment has deteriorated under the interim government, as industries suffer from multiple crises, including unreliable utility services and lack of essential infrastructure.

Dr Khatun emphasised the critical link between political stability and economic growth. “No investor wants uncertainty. Without investment, there is no job creation or income growth—leading to deepening inequality and poverty.”

Law and order spirals out of control

The law and order situation has worsened significantly in recent weeks, with violent crimes such as murder and armed robbery on the rise across Dhaka and other cities.

Armed criminals have been operating brazenly in broad daylight, leaving citizens fearful for their safety. On Tuesday, assailants snatched Tk22 lakh from a money exchange businessman in Dhaka’s Mirpur area after opening fire.

On Sunday night, a local BNP leader was shot dead by unidentified attackers in Badda. In another alarming incident, a video went viral on social media showing machete-wielding muggers attacking a young man and stealing his bag in daylight. Police confirmed that the incident occurred on 18 May on Greenway Lane in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area.