Explosions, blockades, arson rock Bangladesh as Sheikh Hasina plans return
What's the story
Bangladesh is witnessing widespread violence as tensions rise ahead of Sheikh Hasina's planned return from exile in India. Crude bomb explosions, bus arson, and clashes between protesters and police in several districts, including Dhaka, Gazipur, Gopalganj, and Shariatpur, have been reported in the past few days. Security forces have made hundreds of arrests in connection with these incidents.
Political unrest
Authorities blame Awami League for violence
Authorities have blamed the banned Awami League and its affiliates for the violence.
"These incidents are clearly intended to destabilize the government and create panic," Additional Inspector General of Police (Crime and Operations) Mohammad Sayedur Rahman said, accusing the party of orchestrating the attacks.
Hasina, who has been living in India since August 2024, announced her intention to return by December, raising fears of more mayhem in a country still recovering from deadly protests that forced her out in 2024.
Political divisions
Hasina's planned return sparks fears of renewed tensions
Hasina's return could reignite tensions between her supporters and security forces.
After Hasina's ouster, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration banned her Awami League and initiated legal proceedings over a deadly crackdown on protesters.
A tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia in November 2025.
This week, the Bangladeshi prosecutor who secured her death sentence said she will be executed if she returns home.
Nationwide unrest
Political unrest spreads across Bangladesh
The violence has spread beyond Dhaka, with buses torched and crude bombs hurled in other districts.
The Business Standard reported 19 buses were set ablaze and explosions occurred at 27 locations between November 7 and 9.
At least one person died when a bus driver was trapped inside a burning bus in Faridpur.
The unrest took a more overtly political turn on November 10 when the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League called for a nationwide blockade.
Economic unrest
Protests by garment workers intensify
The unrest has also been fueled by protests from workers in Bangladesh's garment industry, who are demanding higher wages.
Workers are demanding an increase in the minimum monthly wage from Tk 12,500 to Tk 30,000
Hundreds of factories suspended production amid the disruptions.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed accused former Awami League ministers, lawmakers, and factory owners associated with the party of exploiting workers' grievances to create instability, although workers' demands remain a separate cause.
Hasina
'They may kill me'
The latest flashpoint came after Hasina sought a new passport and national identity card from Bangladesh's diplomatic mission in New Delhi.
The Bangladesh government rejected the request, saying the country does not provide a "passport to a terrorist," and reiterated that it wanted her extradited from India under the bilateral treaty.
Hasina has repeatedly said, "They may arrest me on my return, they may even kill me," but she must return.