Fulbari (West Bengal) [India], May 24: As Bangladesh grapples with escalating unrest, citizens and international observers are increasingly calling for peace, political stability, and timely elections. Voices from within Bangladesh and neighbouring countries, including Nepalese medical students studying in Bangladesh, have expressed their concerns and hopes for change.
Jiban Kumar, a resident of Thakurgaon, Bangladesh, stressed the urgent need to restore peace, especially for minority communities facing rising threats. “The current situation in Bangladesh is worsening. Development projects are stalled. It’s important to revert to ‘JanaNetri’ Sheikh Hasina. She can only save Hindus in Bangladesh. We also expect India’s intervention to restore the situation,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Laxmi Dhungana, a Nepalese student in Bangladesh, noted, “Minorities are no longer willing to stay; many want to flee to India. Students are facing heavy charges and unresponsive authorities. We want Sheikh Hasina back — she was good for both us and the nation.”
Activity at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) Fulbari in West Bengal, a key Indo-Bangladesh border point, has decreased since August 8, 2024 — coinciding with the political upheaval following the student-led ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The transition led to the formation of an interim government under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has reiterated his support for holding national elections by December 2025. During a recent address at the Dhaka Cantonment, he emphasized the importance of an elected government in determining the country’s future. “An elected government has the right to determine the future course of the country,” he said, according to Prothom Alo.
General Waqar also warned against mob violence and stressed the army’s stricter stance on law and order. He underscored that “chaos or violence in the name of organised crowds will no longer be tolerated.”
As the political debate intensifies, divisions remain deep. While parties like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are pushing for December elections, the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP) — largely led by students who spearheaded the uprising — demands sweeping reforms before any polls. The interim government, allegedly backed by the NCP, is now facing protests from BNP supporters, who are calling for the removal of key student advisers from the cabinet.
Discussions are also underway concerning the establishment of a humanitarian corridor in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. General Waqar emphasized that any such decision should be made by an elected government through a legitimate process, with national interests as a priority.
As Bangladesh navigates a period of uncertainty, the call for democratic restoration, minority protection, and peace continues to resonate both at home and across its borders.