Here in this blog you are going to get UPSC related analysis of our neighbor country Bangladesh and the Political Unrest that has taken place in Bangladesh in 2024-25.
The very important thing here is that you might get some sound knowledge from this topic that can be useful in your UPSC career and in UPSC preparations as well. So I think you should read it full.
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Key Points regarding Bangladesh Unrest :
The unrest in Bangladesh escalated after the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.
- Protests and violence began immediately after her resignation, leading to a three-week crackdown that resulted in around 1,400 deaths.
- Operation Devil Hunt, launched by the interim government on February 8, 2025, intensified the arrests of Hasina’s supporters.
So, while tensions existed before, major violence started on August 5, 2024, and continued into 2025.
More regarding Political Unrest in Bangladesh :
Bangladesh has been witnessing significant violence and clashes in recent months, particularly following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024. The country has seen widespread unrest, especially in student protests and political confrontations.
Political Violence and Crackdown
After Hasina’s resignation, a severe crackdown on anti-government protests led to the deaths of around 1,400 people, according to UN estimates. Security forces have been accused of extrajudicial killings and the mass arrest of demonstrators, with thousands injured and over 11,700 people detained. Many of those killed were reportedly students, including children (AP News).
To restore order, the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, launched “Operation Devil Hunt” on February 8, 2025. This operation has targeted supporters of the previous government, resulting in over 11,313 arrests as of late February (Wikipedia).
Student Protests and University Clashes
Students have been at the forefront of the protests, particularly against the job quota system. Violent clashes erupted at universities, including Jahangirnagar University, where confrontations with pro-government student groups led to over 100 injuries. In response, the government ordered the indefinite closure of schools and colleges (The Indian Express).
Communal Violence and Religious Attacks
Amid the political turmoil, religious minorities have also faced violence. Since Hasina’s resignation, 23 Hindus have been killed, and over 150 Hindu temples have been vandalized. Attacks have also been reported against the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, with homes and mosques being damaged (Wikipedia).
The interim government continues to struggle with restoring stability as protests and violence persist across the country.
Extra Reference :
The Key Protesters behind the Unrest in Bangladesh :
(some Important Points you can Learn Here)
here are the key protesters and groups involved in the political unrest in Bangladesh:
🔹1. Student Protesters (Anti-Discrimination Students Movement)
- The unrest began with university students protesting against the job quota system in government jobs.
- Their movement, called the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, started as peaceful protests but later turned violent due to clashes with security forces and pro-government student groups.
- Students from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, and Chittagong University played a major role.
🔹2. Opposition Political Parties
- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
- The main opposition party, long opposed to Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League.
- Seized the opportunity to mobilize protests and demand fresh elections.
- Many BNP activists were arrested or killed during the crackdown.
- Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)
- A controversial Islamist party that has been banned from contesting elections.
- Used the unrest to push for the return of Islamic rule and the downfall of secular governance.
- Clashed with security forces and was involved in violent protests.
🔹3. Pro-Government Groups & Security Forces
- Awami League’s Student Wing (Bangladesh Chhatra League – BCL)
- The student wing of Sheikh Hasina’s party.
- Attacked student protesters to protect the government.
- Engaged in violent clashes with opposition protesters.
- Bangladesh Police & Security Forces
- Played a role in cracking down on protesters.
- Accused of extrajudicial killings, arrests, and human rights violations.
- Interim Government’s “Operation Devil Hunt”
- After Hasina’s resignation, the new government launched Operation Devil Hunt on February 8, 2025.
- Over 11,313 people arrested, mostly Awami League supporters and opposition leaders.
- Critics say it was a political purge rather than law enforcement.
🔹4. Islamist Extremist Groups
- Hefazat-e-Islam
- A radical Islamist group that demands strict Islamic laws in Bangladesh.
- Exploited the protests to attack religious minorities.
- Blamed for attacks on Hindu temples and Ahmadiyya mosques.
- Other Radical Groups
- Various unidentified Islamist militant factions reportedly used the unrest to spread chaos and attack secular institutions.
🔹5. General Public & Economic Protesters
Mass participation turned the protests into a national anti-government movement.
Ordinary citizens joined protests due to frustration over inflation, job scarcity, and economic struggles.
Many saw this as a chance to demand better governance beyond just the quota issue.
Conclusion
The protests in Bangladesh are driven by students, opposition parties, security forces, extremist groups, and economic protesters, each with different goals. The situation remains volatile, with violent clashes and political rivalries worsening the crisis.
How this Political Unrest has Taken Place in Bangladesh :
The student protests started as a movement demanding reforms in the government job quota system, but as they grew larger and more intense, they became uncontrollable. The government’s violent crackdown only made things worse, leading to mass protests across Bangladesh.
Once the situation escalated, other extremist and political groups took advantage of the chaos:
1. Political Opposition (BNP & Jamaat-e-Islami)
- The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, long-time rivals of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, infiltrated the protests to destabilize the government.
- They used the unrest to mobilize their supporters, leading to violent confrontations with security forces.
2. Islamist Extremist Groups
- Groups like Hefazat-e-Islam and other radical Islamist factions took advantage of the situation to push their own agenda.
- Attacks on Hindu temples and Ahmadiyya mosques increased, showing that religious tensions were deliberately stoked during the crisis.
3. Awami League’s Own Student Wing (BCL)
- The Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), which is aligned with Sheikh Hasina’s party, also clashed with student protesters.
- Pro-government forces attacked protesters, worsening the violence and further dividing the nation.
4. General Public Frustration & Economic Factors
- Many ordinary citizens, already struggling with rising inflation and job scarcity, joined the protests.
- The unrest turned into a larger movement against government policies, beyond just the job quota issue.
All in all
What started as a student movement quickly spiraled into a nationwide crisis due to government crackdowns and interference from political and extremist groups. The power vacuum created by Sheikh Hasina’s resignation allowed multiple factions to exploit the chaos, making it even harder to restore stability in Bangladesh.
UPSC Questions that can be asked regarding Bangladesh Political Unrest that took place in 2024-25 :
This political crisis in Bangladesh is significant for UPSC (CSE, CAPF, CDS, etc.), especially for International Relations (GS-2), Political Science, and Current Affairs. Here are some important UPSC questions that could be asked:
1) UPSC Mains (GS-2 & Political Science) Questions:
- Discuss the reasons behind the recent political unrest in Bangladesh and its implications for regional stability.
- How did the student-led protests in Bangladesh escalate into a nationwide political crisis? What lessons can India learn from this?
- Analyze the role of opposition parties and extremist groups in the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh.
- How do student movements shape political change? Compare the Bangladesh student protests with similar movements in history.
- What are the security implications of the Bangladesh crisis for India? How should India respond?
- Examine the role of international organizations like the United Nations and Human Rights Watch in addressing political unrest in Bangladesh.
- Discuss the impact of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on Bangladesh’s democracy and governance.
- How does political instability in Bangladesh affect India’s foreign policy, trade, and border security?
- Analyze the impact of economic factors (inflation, unemployment) in fueling political protests in developing nations like Bangladesh.
- What challenges does the rise of extremist groups in Bangladesh pose for South Asian security? Suggest measures to counter them.
2) UPSC Prelims (MCQ-Based) Questions:
- Which of the following was the immediate trigger for the recent protests in Bangladesh?
a) Electoral fraud
b) Economic crisis
c) Job quota system reform
d) Religious tensions
(Answer: c) - Which organization led the student protests in Bangladesh?
a) Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
b) Hefazat-e-Islam
c) Anti-Discrimination Students Movement
d) Chhatra League
(Answer: c) - Operation Devil Hunt was launched in Bangladesh to:
a) Counter terrorism
b) Arrest opposition leaders and protestors
c) Provide relief after natural disasters
d) Conduct general elections
(Answer: b) - Which of the following extremist groups has been linked to violence during the Bangladesh unrest?
a) Jamaat-e-Islami
b) Hefazat-e-Islam
c) Both a & b
d) None of the above
(Answer: c) - Sheikh Hasina was the leader of which political party?
a) Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
b) Awami League
c) Jamaat-e-Islami
d) Chhatra League
(Answer: b)
How can India be affected by the political unrest in Bangladesh?
1. Border Security Issues
- Increased illegal migration into India due to instability.
- Risk of cross-border smuggling and criminal activities.
2. Rise of Extremism & Terrorism
- Islamist groups like Hefazat-e-Islam gaining ground can pose security threats.
- Potential radicalization of elements in bordering Indian states (West Bengal, Assam, Tripura).
3. Economic & Trade Disruptions
- Bangladesh is India’s largest trade partner in South Asia ($16 billion trade in 2023).
- Political instability can affect exports of cotton, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.
4. Impact on India’s Diplomacy
- India supported Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, so her exit may reduce India’s influence.
- If BNP or Islamist groups gain power, relations could turn hostile.
5. Rohingya Crisis Worsening
- Instability may lead to more Rohingya refugees entering India via Bangladesh.
- Increased burden on border states like Assam & West Bengal.
All in all
The crisis in Bangladesh directly impacts India’s security, economy, and diplomacy. India must monitor the situation closely, engage diplomatically, and strengthen border security to mitigate risks.
I hope you get good knowledge out of this UPSC News, Views and Analysis of Bangladesh Political Unrest of 2024-25.
Even if you are not preparing for UPSC , it still can be useful for your general knowledge.
Best of Luck
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