Bangladesh on Edge: Street Unrest, Hadi's Death Push Nation Towards Instability

• Student leader Sharif Osman Hadi's killing ignited widespread anger, reopening August 2024 tensions and threatening Bangladesh's stability.
• Interim administration under Muhammad Yunus faces immense pressure to maintain order, ensure credibility, and manage a fractured political landscape ahead of early elections.
• The banning of Awami League created a political vacuum, now filled by energetic, impatient, and increasingly polarized street protests.
• Concerns rise over ideological nationalism, hostility towards external actors like India, and potential for extremist activity, with Pakistan historically exploiting such moments.
• The Bangladesh Army's neutrality is crucial; prolonged unrest risks pushing it into political intervention, while pragmatism is urged over emotive nationalism for stability.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh faces critical choices: pragmatism for stability or prolonged unrest after Hadi's death and political vacuum.