Political Tensions Escalate in Bangladesh as Jamaat Chief Criticises President Shahabuddin

Political tensions in Bangladesh have intensified following remarks by President Mohammed Shahabuddin regarding his treatment under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Days after the President publicly criticised the interim government, Shafiqur Rahman, chief of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and current Leader of the Opposition, launched a pointed attack on Shahabuddin. In a Facebook post, Rahman questioned why the President had allegedly withheld key details about the events of August 5, 2024 — the day Sheikh Hasina left the country amid widespread and deadly protests that ultimately led to the fall of the Awami League government.

Dispute Over August 5 Events

In a recent interview with the Bangla daily Kaler Kontho, President Shahabuddin described several actions of the Yunus-led interim regime as unconstitutional. He further claimed that he had been placed under virtual house arrest, that attempts were made to remove him from office, and that he was prevented from travelling abroad for medical treatment.

Shahabuddin, who was appointed President in April 2023 by the Hasina-led Awami League government, suggested that his authority had been curtailed following the political upheaval.

Rahman, however, accused the President of inconsistency. Referring to the controversy surrounding Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, Rahman alleged that Shahabuddin had failed to clarify his position regarding the events of August 5. In a televised address on the day Hasina departed, Shahabuddin had stated that he had received her resignation letter.

Yet, two months later, in an interview with the Dhaka-based newspaper Janatar Chokh, the President said he had only heard that Hasina had resigned and had not been able to obtain the formal resignation document. The absence of the letter has been a focal point of debate, as it was constitutionally required to legitimise the installation of the interim administration.

“The President has suppressed many things regarding August 5, 2024,” Rahman wrote, accusing him of failing to reconcile his earlier and later statements.

Allegations Over Trade Agreement

In the same interview, Shahabuddin also raised concerns over what he described as a “secretive” trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States, allegedly signed in haste by the outgoing interim administration and protected under a non-disclosure agreement. The President claimed he had not been informed of the deal, arguing that such a state-level agreement should have been formally communicated to him.

Shahabuddin further asserted that he remained in office only due to support from senior figures within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and backing from the armed forces. He stated that certain BNP leaders had assured him of their support in maintaining constitutional continuity and avoiding any unconstitutional removal of the President.

Questions Over Islamist Influence

The Jamaat chief’s intervention has drawn renewed attention to allegations that Islamist groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, played a significant role in the anti-Hasina protests that culminated in the change of power.

Several reports have suggested that elements within the Islamist movement and the interim administration may have shared overlapping political objectives during the transition period. Notably, some student leaders who were at the forefront of the protests later aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the 2026 elections. A number of these figures subsequently secured positions within the Yunus-led cabinet.

As Bangladesh approaches a new electoral cycle, the exchange of accusations between the presidency, the interim administration, and Islamist opposition leaders underscores the fragile and deeply polarised political landscape in the country.