Banning the opposition is no way to revive Bangladesh’s democracy

It took only four years for the euphoria that followed Bangladesh’s independence, in 1971, to be extinguished by a military coup. Bangladesh’s second liberation, ushered in by a popular revolution last year, is in danger of fizzling out even more swiftly. In August 2024 a student-led uprising overthrew Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister, who had ruled the country with increasing despotism for the preceding 15 years. A caretaker government took over, led by Muhammad Yunus, a microcredit pioneer and national hero; it promised to rebuild the country’s democracy. Nearly a year on, the new Bangladesh hangs in the balance.