Bangladesh has a new interim government in place after weeks of popular protests and violent clashes that culminated in its former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina Wazed, fleeing from Dhaka to India. But while the moment represents a fresh start for the South Asian nation, political uncertainty continues to hover over Bangladesh, with deep implications for India. The Nobel laureate, Muhammad Yunus, was sworn in as Bangladesh’s interim leader last week along with 16 other cabinet members — a mix of economists, activists, student leaders, and a former military leader, among others. They will be called advisers, not ministers, in an admission of the temporary, unelected nature of their roles. Mr Yunus, an 84-year-old microfinance pioneer, has promised to uphold Bangladesh’s Constitution and its democracy while also committing to ensure the security of religious minorities amid attacks on these communities, some of which are seen as traditionally sympathetic to Ms Wazed. It is clear that the student-led protests that challenged Ms Wazed’s 15-year-long stranglehold on power enjoyed wide popularity. Yet, in a democracy, the will of the people is ultimately tested through free and fair elections. Bangladesh’s Constitution stipulates that elections must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of Parliament. The country’s Parliament was dissolved on August 6. Yet, so far, Mr Yunus’s government has shied away from committing to hold a national vote within three months.
The nation of 170 million people is desperately seeking a new contract between its rulers and citizens. Mr Yunus and his team must not squander a once-in-decades opportunity to give a bold new direction to Bangladesh, one in which all citizens, irrespective of faith or political ideology, are safe and where the country’s economic promise brings prosperity to all, not just a few. For its part, India too has a chance to make a new beginning with Bangladesh. Time and again — whether in Sri Lanka or Nepal, Bhutan or the Maldives — India has learnt the hard way that its interests are served best when it frames its engagement with neighbours as agnostic to the party in power. It must make clear that its commitment is to warm ties with the people of Bangladesh, not to any one party, even as it plays host for now to Ms Wazed. The congratulatory message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mr Yunus is a good start: New Delhi should build on it.
