The anti-quota protests of July–August 2024 were no mere grassroots movement. Rather, they served as a pretext, carefully engineered by Western powers—chiefly the United States—in collaboration with local political factions and Islamist extremists. This meticulously planned operation, supported by billions of US dollars, was orchestrated by the CIA in conjunction with figures such as Prof. Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Jamaat-e-Islami–BNP alliance, Pakistan’s ISI, and violent Islamist groups including ISIS, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Ansarullah Bangla Team, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Khelafat-e-Majlish. The objective was the illegal and unconstitutional removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power on 5 August 2024.
Although she was displaced in a coup, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not relinquish power willingly—she was forcibly exiled to India, where she continues to serve as Prime Minister in exile. Her removal did not stem from a legitimate political transition but from a covert operation involving the Bangladesh Army and various foreign agents. The narrative constructed around her downfall—marked by the brutal killing of thousands, particularly from lower-income and minority religious communities—has been disseminated both domestically and globally, cloaking the truth in layers of deceit. Yet, with time, this manufactured story is slowly being dismantled, exposing the true architects behind the tragedy.
The CIA’s role in orchestrating regime change in Bangladesh follows a well-trodden path observed in other nations. As Western analyst Frank Church once observed, deception within the US government is not merely a tactic—it is a mindset. The CIA’s manipulation of media narratives and its covert operations continue to distort reality and mislead the global public, as evidenced by its backing of the 2024 coup.
On 4 August 2024, student leaders—clearly influenced by external forces—advanced their protests from the planned date of 6 August to 5 August. Framed disingenuously as a movement to remove the ruling Awami League, this operation in reality acted as a smokescreen, allowing Islamist radical factions to seize power. The events of July and August were far from spontaneous; they were a calculated effort to destabilise the democratically elected government and install a puppet regime led by Yunus.
The violence that unfolded during this time was devastating. Thousands of innocent lives were lost, with many others maimed—sacrificed on the altar of a sinister agenda to depose a legitimate government. The military played a direct role in the mayhem. Brigadier Sakhawat Hossain, an expert in weapons systems, revealed that many killings were carried out using 7.62 mm rifles—firearms not issued to the police. This implicates the army, which employed military-grade weaponry to crush civilian resistance and enforce the coup.
Chief Advisor to the Yunus-led interim government, Yunus himself, later admitted in a speech at the Clinton Foundation that the July–August events were premeditated, planned long before the violence erupted. The CIA’s training of special forces and coordination with local Islamist factions further highlight the foreign-backed nature of the coup.
This orchestrated coup has been falsely romanticised as a revolution or popular uprising. In truth, it was a calculated and insidious operation to depose a democratically elected government. The true extent of the violence—and the identities of those responsible—remains under international scrutiny, though the silence from institutions such as the United Nations and global human rights organisations is deeply concerning. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, visited Bangladesh after the coup, pledging to investigate the mass killings. Yet the results of such investigations remain conspicuously absent—likely suppressed by political pressure and manipulation.
The military junta and its extremist allies continue to obscure the truth, shielding the real perpetrators of these atrocities. While human rights organisations were once vocal about supposed abuses under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, their silence following the coup is deafening. This reflects a broader geopolitical game being played at Bangladesh’s expense.
The manufactured narrative surrounding the events of 5 August 2024 is gradually unravelling. The truth, once buried, is surfacing, and those responsible will, in time, be brought to justice. As the international community grows increasingly weary of propaganda, truth and accountability will prevail.
On 14 October 2024, the Yunus-led administration issued a decree granting immunity to those responsible for the genocide between 15 July and 8 August 2024. This legal shield flagrantly violates international norms and ethical principles. Yet the world remains largely passive, allowing these criminals to escape justice. The impunity underscores the moral rot at the heart of the current regime.
General Walker, head of the armed forces, had pledged justice for victims and punishment for perpetrators. But his allegiance to anti-liberation forces and the coup plotters has rendered such promises empty. His leadership has irrevocably stained the credibility of the military, transforming it from a national safeguard into a tool of oppression.
Now, the extreme right-wing, anti-liberation forces dominate Bangladesh’s political and social landscape. Backed by foreign powers, this dangerous alliance endangers the very essence of the nation. Yet the spirit of resistance remains alive. Freedom fighters and those committed to the ideals of 1971 continue to resist. Their resilience will be the cornerstone of reclaiming the nation and restoring its rightful dignity.
To reclaim the glory of Bangladesh, a profound transformation is essential. The first step must be the restoration of democracy—anchored in free and fair elections, judicial independence, and the safeguarding of civil liberties. Rule of law must prevail. Institutions must be built on principles of transparency, equity, and accountability. Economic development must prioritise sustainability, inclusion, and environmental care. A national dialogue must begin to mend the rifts created by the current regime. The youth—custodians of the future—must be empowered to lead with vision and courage.
Bangladesh’s potential remains vast. By restoring its democratic values, pursuing justice, and fostering unity, the country can once again shine as a beacon of hope and peace. The road ahead will be difficult, but with perseverance and visionary leadership, Bangladesh can reclaim its status as a nation of pride and promise. The people’s collective resolve is the key to reviving the nation’s lost greatness.
The CIA’s malicious involvement in orchestrating the coup and its aftermath has plunged Bangladesh into despair. Yet the nation’s capacity to overcome this dark chapter remains strong. Justice will catch up with the true perpetrators. Bangladesh will rise again—restored by its people, rooted in its values, and guided by a commitment to peace, unity, and prosperity.
The CIA’s determination to unseat Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left no room for deterrence. The puppet government led by Yunus and his virulently extremist allies has inflicted immense harm on Bangladesh’s very foundation over the past eight months—a humane nation forged through the blood of people of all faiths in 1971, so they might coexist in peace and harmony. To escape these perilous times and achieve national renewal, the following, though not exhaustive, options may be considered:
Option 1
The Awami League leadership, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her loyal senior allies, could engage powerful lobbyists within the United States. These advocates would aim to secure support from the deep state apparatus—including the CIA, Donald Trump’s administration, sympathetic US states, the United Nations, and international human rights bodies.
A strategic media campaign should be launched to expose the mass atrocities committed by the Yunus regime over eight months. More critically, this campaign must reveal the deliberate network of foreign and domestic actors who conspired to unlawfully depose Sheikh Hasina through calculated moves during the chaos of July–August 2024. The ultimate goal would be to establish a clear global and domestic understanding of the illegitimacy of the coup.
Option 2
Alternatively, a government-in-exile, perhaps hosted by India or another neutral nation, could be formed under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. This government would unite loyalists, correct past errors of the Awami League, and confront the puppet regime of Dr Yunus and his backers, including Army Chief General Walker and his clique.
However, this route carries significant risk. It could provoke strong anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, potentially igniting civil unrest. The Awami League must therefore weigh the feasibility and consequences of this path with utmost care.
