February Revolution or Political Collapse? Inside the Unrest Shaking Dhaka and Beyond.”
Friends, the hallmark of a wise politician is knowing how to wait for the right time. Time has a unique quality—it changes everything. Yunus’s days now seem numbered. Indeed, friends, the countdown for Yunus has begun, and the reason is the Awami League. Yes, the Awami League, which, after a long silence in Bangladesh, has suddenly sprung into action. Their demand is direct: Yunus must resign. The government must step down—this is their call.*
The Awami League’s supporters are mobilizing. On social media, banners have started appearing, and even dates for a “revolution” in February have been announced. Here’s their planned schedule:
- 1st–5th February: Distribution of leaflets and publicity materials.
- 6th February: Protest processions.
- 10th February: Demonstrations.
- 16th February: Nationwide blockade.
- 18th February: General strike.
The ground is slipping beneath Yunus’s government. The press secretary of the Yunus administration has declared these protests “unconstitutional,” but critics retort: “Your government itself is unconstitutional!” Meanwhile, Bangladesh appears to be sliding back into instability.
Timing is critical. Questions are being raised: Is the U.S. freezing funds to Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina’s regime a signal that the right time has come to remove Yunus? Many speculate that the U.S. freeze favors the Awami League, as if Hasina had been waiting for this moment. Yunus, on the other hand, faces dwindling options. With the West tilting rightward, his refuge might only be Pakistan.
The Awami League’s allegations against Yunus include:
- Collapse of law and order, skyrocketing prices of essentials.
- Unjust taxes harming garment workers and businesses.
- Attacks on minorities, Sufis, artists, journalists, and activists.
- Fabricated cases against political leaders and human rights defenders.
- Favoritism toward Yunus’s own businesses via tax exemptions.
Their demands:
- Release all political prisoners.
- Drop false cases.
- Investigate deaths in custody.
- Resignation of the “illegal, unconstitutional” Yunus government.
The Yunus administration has vowed to crush protests, threatening legal action against anyone participating. Yet, the Awami League insists their protests are peaceful and constitutionally protected.
Behind the scenes:
- The military is divided. Pro-Hasina factions, like Lt. Gen. Mohammad Shahinul Haq, command key divisions.
- Hasina maintains covert networks with exiled leaders and activists, coordinating via VPNs.
- Rumors swirl about conspiracies within the army to overthrow Yunus, led by figures like Lt. Gen. Mohammad Faizur Rahman.
What’s next? If protests escalate, the army may step in—likely backing Hasina, given her historical ties to current generals. The loyalty of Awami League’s grassroots workers will be tested against police brutality.