He suggested that once the military distanced itself, her government rapidly collapsed amid growing public anger and prolonged unrest across the country.
Bangladesh's army stood by the protesters during July-August last year, which accelerated the fall of the Hasina government, said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. He said, “The army made the right decision at the right time and for this reason I highly praise their role.”
ALSO READ | Fresh Nepal Gen-Z protest in Bara turns violent, curfew imposed in Simara
He made this comment at the convocation of the Defence Service Command and Staff College at Mirpur Cantonment on Wednesday. At this event, Yunus handed over certificates to young military officers from 24 countries, including Bangladesh. This year, 311 officers from various countries, including China, India, Pakistan, and Turkey, participated in the training course.
While Muhammad Yunus praised the army's role in the July-August student mass movement, his 'employers' – the students – do not hesitate to call the army 'pet dogs.' On Monday, even before the International Crimes Tribunal announced its verdict against Sheikh Hasina, when a group of youths went to demolish the ruins of Bangladesh's founder, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib's Dhanmondi house, the police and army on duty tried to stop them. During this time, these angry 'youths and students' were seen hurling abuses at army members while arguing with army officers. Standing in civil society areas like Shahbag, Asaduzzaman Fuad, general secretary of the Yunus-loyal Amar Bangla (AB) Party, was heard making open threats to blow up army cantonments.
Bangladesh has celebrated December 16, 1971 – the day Pakistani forces surrendered at what was then Dhaka's Racecourse Ground, now Suhrawardy Udyan – as Victory Day since 1972. Until now, government programs included armed forces parades at the National Parade Ground and physical exercise displays and cultural programs by children at the National Stadium. These two events were cancelled in 2024. Following that tradition, this year (2025) too, there will be no colourful Victory Day parade, announced Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. After a security-related meeting for Victory Day at the Home Ministry's conference room at the Secretariat on Wednesday, he said, 'This year too, there will be no parades on Victory Day at the National Parade Ground or at district and upazila levels.'
The Chief Adviser said at Mirpur Cantonment on Wednesday that the army's assistance is essential to organise the upcoming national election in a peaceful, festive, and joyful atmosphere.
He also said, “I earnestly seek the army's assistance to truly conduct this long-awaited election of the people in a peaceful festival and joyful atmosphere.”
