Thousands Rally in Dhaka for Elections Amid Political Turmoil

Thousands of activists from the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) gathered in Dhaka on Tuesday, demanding a democratic transition and a timeline for new elections as the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has yet to provide one, the Associated Press reported.

Yunus assumed leadership after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country amid mass protests, ending her 15-year rule.

While the BNP initially called for elections within three months, they now seek to allow the interim government time for reforms. Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, stated that any reforms must be endorsed by a future parliament to ensure political empowerment.

In a related development, two senior journalists were arrested on murder charges linked to student-led protests, raising concerns about press freedom. Over 150 journalists have faced serious charges since Hasina’s departure, drawing criticism from organizations like Reporters Without Borders regarding the treatment of media in the current climate.