Bangladesh On Edge: Paramilitary Forces Mobilized As Civil Servants Protest Yunus Government’s Law

Civil unrest in Bangladesh intensified on Tuesday as government employees entered their fourth consecutive day of protests against the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance-2025, effectively halting administrative functions at the Secretariat in Dhaka. In response, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government deployed paramilitary and elite forces to secure key government offices amid escalating tensions.

According to The Dhaka Tribune, the protests have crippled day-to-day operations in the Secretariat. Personnel from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) were positioned at strategic entry points to maintain control and prevent any breach.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) prohibited demonstrations and public meetings in the vicinity, and journalists and tourists were denied access to the premises. The government's increased limitations reflect its growing anxiety over rising dissent.

The rallies are part of a larger national call for elections, as voters become more disillusioned with the nine-month reign of the unelected interim government. Observers have noticed a significant drop in law and order since the Yunus administration assumed office, triggering strong calls for democratic restoration.

What Is Fueling the Protests?

At the heart of the uproar is President Mohammed Sahabuddin's Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, which was announced on Sunday. The rule allows the government to terminate employees for four types of wrongdoing using a show-cause notice, bypassing the requirement for formal departmental investigations.

Government employees and unions have denounced the measure as unconstitutional and tyrannical, calling it a "black law." Protesters chanted cries such as "The fire has been lit in our blood," "Abolish the unlawful black law," "Employees reject this illegal law," and "Unite 18 lakh workers."

Secretariat-based employee groups have pledged to continue their movement until the law is withdrawn, rejecting any compromises with the administration.

Counter-Protests and Heightened Tensions

Meanwhile, tensions rose with the launch of counter-protests by July Mancha, a student organisation that supports the temporary rule. Authorities have maintained a high level of awareness as the capital prepares for potential disruptions.

Broader Political Backdrop

The crisis is unfolding amid friction between the interim government and the military. While the Bangladesh Armed Forces have reaffirmed their commitment to national sovereignty, they have voiced unease over several policies, including a controversial proposal to open a humanitarian corridor into Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Compounding the unrest is a disturbing surge in crime across Dhaka. Murder cases have nearly tripled compared to the previous year, aggravating public anxiety and fueling calls for democratic elections. The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has urged the interim government to announce a definitive date for elections, emphasizing the urgency after nine months in power.

With both civil servants and the broader public demanding an end to interim rule, the Muhammad Yunus administration faces its most serious legitimacy challenge yet.