When the interim government of Bangladesh took office, a glimmer of hope spread through the country. After years of political repression under Sheikh Hasina, many saw this caretaker administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, as an opportunity for true reform. But as the months pass, the optimism that once filled the streets of Dhaka has slowly begun to fade. Reports of missteps, backpedaling on key decisions, and growing dissatisfaction raise a pressing question: is the interim government genuinely struggling, or are we burdening it with expectations that no temporary administration could realistically meet?
The Aftermath of Hasina’s Fall: A Fragile Beginning
The fall of Hasina’s regime marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s political history, and for a brief moment, it seemed that the country was poised for a new era. People, particularly the youth, were optimistic that real change was finally within reach. However, as The Daily Star has reported, the early months of the interim government have been fraught with challenges. While the government announced its ambitious plans to reform the security forces, the judiciary, and other key institutions, these efforts have been hindered by growing unrest and logistical difficulties.
What’s often overlooked in the rush to criticize is the monumental task facing this government. Bangladesh’s political landscape has been shaped by decades of patronage, authoritarianism, and cronyism. Unwinding these entrenched systems isn’t just difficult—it’s nearly impossible to accomplish in a few months.
The expectation that this caretaker administration could simply wave a wand and fix the deep-rooted issues in the country is a dangerous illusion.
The Economic Crisis: A Symptom of Deeper Instability
Beyond the political upheaval, Bangladesh’s economic crisis presents another formidable challenge. Inflation, which has been a problem since 2022, has only worsened, with rates reaching a 13-year high of 11.66 percent in July 2024. Food inflation is even more alarming, sitting at 14.10 percent. For many families, particularly in low-income households, the rising cost of living has become an unbearable burden.
As outlined by The Daily Star, the interim government has not been able to provide a quick fix for the country’s economic woes, which include not just inflation but also a massive youth unemployment problem.
Nearly 41 percent of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are neither in education, employment, nor training (NEET), a figure that far exceeds global averages and represents a growing sense of disenfranchisement among Bangladesh’s youth.
Yet, the expectation that this interim administration can magically turn around an economy in freefall within a matter of months is, at best, unreasonable. The structural issues plaguing Bangladesh’s economy—including its dependence on the garment sector, declining remittances, and poor foreign investment—are the result of years of mismanagement.
Even the most competent of governments would struggle to tackle these issues in such a short period. Yunus’ administration, with its limited mandate and time, faces the impossible task of managing an economy already on the brink of collapse while also reforming the very institutions that have contributed to this instability.
Struggling to Reform the State: Can Real Change Happen?
The caretaker government came to power with lofty promises of reform, and in many ways, these promises were necessary. The country’s security forces, judiciary, and election commission have long been marred by inefficiency, corruption, and political bias. But as The Council on Foreign Relations points out, the reforms are facing significant obstacles. The military, while publicly supportive of Yunus’ government, remains a powerful force in Bangladesh, and any attempts to limit its influence are met with resistance.
Reforming the civil service, another key promise of the caretaker administration, has also proven difficult. Many positions within the bureaucracy are still held by individuals loyal to the previous government, making it challenging for Yunus to enact meaningful changes without triggering backlash from entrenched power structures.
The decision to remove certain district commissioners, for example, led to protests and forced the government to backpedal on several key appointments.
It’s easy to label these missteps as signs of failure, but it’s worth remembering that the interim government is attempting to navigate a political landscape filled with landmines. Every decision they make is met with fierce resistance from some faction or another, and the time constraints placed on the administration only exacerbate these challenges. Reforming institutions takes time—time that this caretaker government simply doesn’t have.
The Weight of Unrealistic Expectations
At the heart of the criticism facing the interim government is the question of expectations. The administration came to power at a time of great hope, but also with a set of expectations that were, from the start, nearly impossible to meet. Many people expected Yunus and his team to immediately stabilize the country, hold elections, and reform the corrupt institutions that have plagued Bangladesh for decades. But these expectations ignore the reality of the situation.
As The Council on Foreign Relations highlights, even if Yunus’ government manages to implement some of its proposed reforms, there is no guarantee that these changes will stick once the next election is held. Bangladesh’s political history is riddled with examples of progressive reforms being rolled back as soon as a new government takes office.
With the Awami League and BNP still being the dominant forces in the country’s political landscape, it’s entirely possible that one of these parties will regain power and undo many of Yunus’ changes.
Expecting this interim government to deliver long-term solutions in such a short period is not only unfair—it’s setting them up for failure. The sheer scope of the problems facing Bangladesh is vast, and no caretaker government, no matter how competent, could reasonably be expected to solve them in a matter of months.
Governance vs. Short-Term Stabilization: The Difficult Balance
One of the most pressing dilemmas facing the interim government is how to balance immediate needs with long-term reforms. Bangladesh is in desperate need of political and economic stabilization, but the administration is also tasked with laying the groundwork for elections and broader reforms. As The Daily Star notes, while the government has made progress in some areas—such as public service improvements—the overall situation remains fragile.
The police force, which collapsed during the height of the protests, is still struggling to restore order. Mob violence and communal unrest continue to plague the country, and Yunus himself has acknowledged that the situation remains far from stable.
This inability to maintain law and order not only threatens the government’s legitimacy but also hampers its ability to implement meaningful reforms.
At the same time, the military’s continued role in providing security is creating a sense of unease among activists and citizens alike. While the military’s presence has helped prevent further unrest, it also raises concerns about the future of democratic governance in Bangladesh. If Yunus is unable to reform the security forces and limit the military’s influence over civilian institutions, the long-term prospects for political stability remain uncertain.
Financial Support and International Aid: A Missing Piece of the Puzzle
One of the most significant obstacles facing the interim government is the lack of financial support. Bangladesh’s economy is on the brink of collapse, and while Yunus has laid out ambitious reform plans, the reality is that the country simply doesn’t have the resources to fund them.
As the Council on Foreign Relations points out, international aid—particularly in the form of a donor conference—could provide much-needed financial support for the government’s reform efforts. However, given the current global crises and Bangladesh’s strained relationship with key powers like India, such a conference seems unlikely.
Without external financial support, Bangladesh may be forced to rely on China, a situation that could further complicate its geopolitical position. During the Hasina years, China played a significant role in Bangladesh’s economy, providing capital for infrastructure projects and helping the country maintain a semblance of economic stability. But relying too heavily on Chinese support could create new tensions with India and other regional powers, further destabilizing the country.
Can Yunus Deliver?
The interim government’s task is undeniably difficult. Reforming Bangladesh’s political and economic systems while simultaneously restoring law and order is a challenge that would test even the most seasoned administration. But perhaps the real issue is not whether the government is struggling, but whether the expectations placed upon it were ever realistic in the first place.
It’s easy to criticize the interim government for its failures—its backpedaling on key decisions, its inability to stabilize the economy, its struggles to maintain law and order.
But it’s worth remembering that this administration inherited a broken system. Decades of authoritarian rule, cronyism, and corruption have left Bangladesh’s institutions in shambles, and the expectation that Yunus could fix them all in a matter of months was always a fantasy.
The real question we should be asking is not whether the government is failing, but whether we are failing to recognize the enormity of the task it faces. Reforms take time, and change does not happen overnight. If we continue to expect immediate results from a government that was never designed to last, we will only set ourselves up for disappointment.
Looking Ahead
Bangladesh’s interim government is undoubtedly facing significant challenges. From economic instability to political unrest, the road ahead is fraught with difficulties. But much of the criticism it faces stems from unrealistic expectations. The caretaker administration, led by Muhammad Yunus, was never going to be able to solve all of Bangladesh’s problems in a few short months.
What we need to recognize is that true reform takes time. The interim government’s struggles are not necessarily signs of failure—they are symptoms of a country grappling with decades of mismanagement.
If we continue to expect immediate results, we risk setting the government up for failure. Instead, we should focus on supporting the administration as it works to lay the groundwork for long-term change. Only then can we begin to move towards a more stable and prosperous Bangladesh.
