The extraordinary series of events that led to the mass uprising that brought down the Awami League-led government are still fresh in the memory. The movement led by the students had succeeded where a number of previous attempts led by our political parties had failed. They had successfully worked up a critical mass of public support, and mobilised them to take to the streets to voice their displeasure with the government. The students were at the forefront, but there can be no doubt that by the end, the movement to dislodge Sheikh Hasina had stakeholders from a wide cross-section of society.

The disorderly exit that the former prime minister chose to avail led to a power vacuum, and this prompted a range of untoward incidents, from a spate of robberies to some attacks on minorities - although the latter was greatly exaggerated in the Indian press. It is clear that the recalibration of relations with our big neighbour is set to emerge as the most epochal change set in motion by the events of August 5, 2024. They threaten to overturn the fruits of 15 years of close cooperation between Dhaka and Delhi, which had changed the regional mechanisms for cooperation within South Asia as a whole. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or Saarc, the original regional grouping, may witness a revival. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), which was clearly envisioned as an alternative in conjunction with the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal), as a way to bypass Pakistan, may die out.

Much depends on the reform agenda that the interim government led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus sets itself. We are told that the chief adviser will be ready to present an outline on reforms soon to be brought in the state apparatus after holding dialogues with political parties. To that end, the CA held a series of meetings recently with 35 political parties, including the BNP, Jatiya Party, Gono Forum, Jasad (Ambia), Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and six Islami parties, at the state guest house Jamuna in the capital. Notably absent were the Awami League and some of its allies in the government. It would be reassuring if this process is made as transparent and inclusive as possible.

For the moment, the interim government may expect to enjoy a honeymoon period for another month or two. If the new Bangladesh Bank governor manages to rein in inflation, this may last a bit longer. But eventually, it will have to stand on its own record. The need for a roadmap to elections has already been sounded out by some political parties. It is probably only a matter of time before they mobilise their supporters to demand it is held sooner, rather than later.