One year after the dramatic fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, thousands of Bangladeshis took to the streets of Dhaka and other major cities on August 5 to mark the anniversary with large-scale rallies, concerts, prayer vigils, and political gatherings. The events were led by student activists and reform advocates who played a key role in last year’s uprising that ended Hasina’s 15-year rule.
The day’s centerpiece was the public unveiling of the “July Declaration,” a new reform blueprint proposed by the interim government. The document outlines sweeping political and institutional changes aimed at restoring democracy, including promises for free elections, an independent judiciary, and protection of civil rights.
Interim Prime Minister and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation, calling for unity and vigilance. “The road ahead is still fragile,” Yunus warned, urging citizens to support the peaceful transition and remain alert to the risks of counter-revolutionary elements still loyal to the former regime.
Despite the celebratory tone of the day, political tensions remain high. The Awami League, Hasina’s party, continues to be banned from political activity, and several of its senior leaders are in exile, with many reportedly taking refuge in neighboring India. Human rights groups have raised concerns about the scope of Operation Devil Hunt, a security crackdown launched earlier this year to root out suspected loyalists. Over 11,000 people have been arrested since the campaign began, with reports of arbitrary detentions and politically motivated prosecutions.
The interim government has promised to hold democratic elections by early 2026, but major opposition parties, especially the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), are demanding an earlier vote by December 2025. They argue that the transition risks losing public trust if delayed further. In response, the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), led by former student protest leaders, has unveiled its own 24-point plan calling for a new constitution and broader political participation.
Women’s rights activists, who were instrumental in last year’s protests, expressed frustration that promised reforms have not adequately addressed gender inequality, safety, and representation. Minority and transgender communities have also reported continued discrimination and marginalization under the current system.
The anniversary rallies drew attention not only to the achievements of the past year but also to the significant challenges that lie ahead. While the fall of Hasina’s government was seen as a turning point, Bangladesh’s journey toward a fully inclusive and democratic political system remains uncertain.
Observers note that unless all major political parties, including the banned Awami League, are allowed to participate in future elections, the legitimacy of the process may be called into question. For now, the country remains at a crossroads, with the promise of reform tempered by the realities of deep-rooted political divisions.