Saturday, March 29, 2025
Bangladesh on Edge as Yunus-Led Interim Government Faces Fresh Threats After Student Leaders Shot
Dhaka | December 23, 2025
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, is facing mounting pressure amid renewed political unrest following a series of violent attacks on prominent student and youth leaders. Reports suggest that Inqilab Manch—the platform that played a key role in the formation of the current administration—may soon launch a movement to remove the Yunus-led government.
The latest escalation comes after unidentified gunmen shot Motaleeb Sikder, a senior student leader, in the head on Monday in the southwestern city of Khulna. Sikder was one of the key figures in the 2024 student-led violent protests. He was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition, according to party officials.
This attack occurred just days after the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif Usman Hadi, whose death has sent shockwaves across the country. Hadi later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment in Singapore. He was also a candidate in the February 12 general elections.
According to media reports, Inqilab Manch issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the authorities demanding the arrest of those responsible for Hadi’s killing. The warning expired on Sunday without what the group described as any “meaningful action” from the police or the home ministry.
Abdullah Al Jaber, an official of Inqilab Manch, accused the government of inaction.
“The deadline has passed without any direct steps by the Home Adviser or concerned officials to arrest the accused,” he said.
Following the lapse of the ultimatum, the organization warned that it could resume mass protests and reconsider its support for the interim administration.
Inqilab Manch announced a protest rally in Dhaka at 3 pm on Monday, stating that a final decision would be taken there on whether to continue backing the Yunus administration or begin a movement to unseat it.
Leaders of the platform also accused the Home Adviser and his special secretary of attempting to downplay the crisis, pointing to their absence from a recent ministry briefing as evidence of negligence.
Confirming the shooting of Motaleeb Sikder, National Citizens Party (NCP) Joint Chief Coordinator Mahimuda Mitu said in a Facebook post that Sikder heads the party’s Khulna division and also serves as a central coordinator of its Workers’ Front.
Mitu, a doctor by profession, said Sikder was rushed to hospital in a critical condition moments after the attack.
Following Hadi’s death, the Yunus-led interim government declared nationwide mourning on Saturday and vowed that no effort would be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, the killing—and now the attempted murder of another student leader—has triggered fresh violence in Dhaka and several other major cities.
With anger growing on the streets and former allies turning increasingly critical, Bangladesh’s fragile interim political setup appears to be entering one of its most challenging phases yet.
