Military Coup Rumors Swirl in Bangladesh as Army Chief Calls Emergency Meeting Amid Tensions with Yunus Government
As of March 25, 2025, there have been significant rumors and speculation about a potential military coup in Bangladesh against the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, with reports of the Bangladesh Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, calling an emergency meeting and troop movements in Dhaka. However, the situation remains fluid and contested.
News outlets, such as India Today, reported that the Bangladesh Army held an emergency meeting on Monday, March 24, 2025, led by General Waker-Uz-Zaman and attended by top officers, including five Lieutenant Generals and eight Major Generals. Sources suggested the military might be considering a takeover, potentially ousting Yunus due to growing unrest and dissatisfaction with the interim government since it assumed power in August 2024 following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. Increased military presence in Dhaka, including intensified patrols and checkpoints, has fueled these speculations. Social media posts on X have echoed these claims, with some users asserting that the army is mobilizing troops and that a coup might occur, especially as Yunus is scheduled to visit China soon.
However, the Bangladesh Army, through its Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) wing, has firmly denied these reports. On March 25, 2025, the ISPR dismissed claims of an emergency meeting signaling a coup as “false and fabricated,” calling it a routine meeting misrepresented by sensationalist media. General Waker-Uz-Zaman himself addressed senior officers on March 24, urging them to remain focused on their duties and not be swayed by misinformation, emphasizing the army’s priority to maintain national stability. He has previously expressed support for the interim government and a transition to elections within 18 months, as noted in a September 2024 Reuters interview.
The political context adds complexity. Since Yunus took over, tensions have risen between the military, student-led groups, and the interim administration. Protests by the National Citizen Party (NCP) and other factions against alleged military interference, combined with a deteriorating law-and-order situation, have heightened unease. Yet, the army’s official stance and Walker’s public statements suggest no immediate intent to seize power.
