Do They Think Just Changing the Regime is Enough, Without Needing Security?

Opinion

“Leagues’ relative,” “BNP-Jamaat’s confidant,” “Yunus’ guarantor,” “India’s reliable”… Who Really is General Waker?

When this question arises, from a neutral nationalist standpoint, everyone unanimously says—”He is a patriotic army chief, he stands for Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty.” The counter to this is—”Every republic’s employee takes an oath to uphold Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. This is not an extra achievement.”

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(a)
On August 5, General Waker did not order countering the mob that broke curfew and attempted to assassinate Sheikh Hasina by manipulating public sentiment. Instead, he withdrew the NSF. Earlier, on August 3, during a durbar meeting, he decided that “the army will not fire on students”—meaning he sided with the coup plotters. Until midnight on August 4, the Home Minister, Police Chief, and Army Chief were at Ganabhaban. He assured Sheikh Hasina, “Nothing will happen. We can control the situation.” The Army Chief told Sheikh Hasina, “Your security is my responsibility.” At that time, the Home Minister asked the Army Chief, “Are you taking full responsibility?” He replied, “Yes.”

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(b)
The same man, shortly after, received calls from Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi and, following their instructions, told Sheikh Hasina to “be ready in 45 minutes.” He arranged a helicopter and a military aircraft with a crew to safely transport her to India. In other words, he expressed gratitude to Sheikh Hasina and, complying with India’s request, stayed in their good books.

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(c)
On August 5, he declared that he was shouldering the nation’s responsibility. In meetings with political parties, he first called Jamaat and mentioned them in his speech. This time, he sided with the Islamists, the majority of the coup plotters.

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(d)
On August 8, he received Muhammad Yunus at the airport with state honors. He had the President complete all formalities for the interim government. Despite calling Yunus a “convict,” he fully supported Yunus’ handpicked government, siding with him.

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(e)
Since then, he has supported all government actions. He maintained good relations. Despite having magisterial powers, unprecedented mob violence unfolded before his eyes. Across the country, leaders and activists of the League and 14-party alliance were killed, injured, arrested, jailed, and tortured. After August 15, from the vandalism and arson at Bangabandhu’s 32 Dhanmondi house to the destruction of all symbols of the Liberation War, secularism, murals, and infrastructure nationwide, he did nothing to stop it. In some places, army members even joined the vandalism. Yet, he remained indifferent. Through this, he supported the radical Islamists’ “new arrangement” aimed at destroying the spirit of the Liberation War and independence.

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(f)
When the country descended into extreme chaos and fascism, on February 26, in a speech before former army officers, he optimistically declared, “I had enough is enough,” as if awakening his conscience. This gave the impression that he did not support the government’s actions.

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(g)
Meanwhile, he saw Yunus’ government’s repeated attempts to remove him and the President. He also noticed signs of a military coup against him. Amid this, he traveled to the U.S. and Canada, then went to Russia. It seemed he relied on the India-Russia axis.

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(h)
While he was in Russia, Yunus appointed Khalilur Rahman as “National Security Advisor.” This advisor’s first assignment: remove Waker. NCP and AB Party leaders hurled abusive language at him. An ISI-backed fellow Lieutenant General tried to stage a coup against him. Receiving prior intelligence, he consolidated power.

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After this, he called a “durbar” at Army Headquarters, listing 10 points and strongly opposing the government’s actions. He issued ultimatums, especially regarding the Rakhine corridor, St. Martin, Chittagong Port lease, and not announcing the election date, declaring, “The election must be held in December.”

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Everyone assumed, “Finally, he has woken up!” Now, he would declare a state of emergency and take power. Surprisingly, even the general public wanted him to take state power and save the country. For days, frequent meetings were held at Jamuna and Army Headquarters. It seemed Yunus’ government was about to fall. At this very moment, Yunus staged a resignation drama and regained control. All political parties, despite understanding the drama, firmly supported him. Except Jamaat and NCP, all parties, including BNP, said, “The election must be held in December.” BNP and others knew this wouldn’t happen, yet no party strongly supported General Waker’s demand for December elections. In this bout, Yunus won again.

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So, is he ultimately Yunus’ man? Before this question, let’s quickly review post-May 22 events.

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After the Army Chief’s fiery speech, Muhammad Yunus held multiple meetings with political parties at Jamuna > Jamaat leaders rushed to meet the Army Chief immediately after meeting Yunus (unprecedented! Those who earlier said the Army Chief had no right to make political statements now stayed silent!) > News of Jamaat’s meeting wasn’t revealed for two days > Yunus’ resignation drama ended with all parties supporting him, saying, “I won’t resign” > General Waker, after his May 22 ultimatum, thought, “Was the dose too strong?” So, he met Jamaat for damage control? > But he didn’t meet BNP! > Then Waker held another meeting with army officials > This time, another army official’s press briefing didn’t align with Waker’s May 22 speech > Plans to fire secretaries and officials appointed during the League’s tenure and recruit officers from students to run the administration > Plans to dismiss army officers who joined service during the League’s tenure > Secretariat in turmoil > Teachers on the streets > Unprecedentedly, the Chief Justice met Yunus > Jamaat leader ATM Azhar got his death sentence commuted and walked out of jail > Effectively, Jamaat reaffirmed they now hold state power > Amid this chaos, Muhammad Yunus comfortably left for Japan > Meanwhile, Islamists made it clear to the government and Waker that they were ready to confront the army!

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Despite Waker’s declaration that “mob violence won’t be allowed,” it continues nationwide. Meanwhile, he arrested a few top terrorists out on bail to show he wouldn’t tolerate mob violence, yet it continues unabated in Rajshahi, Chittagong, and Dhaka. Waker can’t stop it. Notable mob violence includes the humiliation of former CEC KM Nurul Huda—volunteers beat him with shoes and garlanded him with shoes before his arrest. The latest government-sponsored mob violence was bulldozing the independence murals built by the army on Bijoy Sarani—with the army’s tacit support.

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Possible Conclusion:
Muhammad Yunus is the American deep state’s chosen “puppet.” Can the deep state install a group of opportunistic civilians without military backing? No. Therefore, Waker has also been part of the plan to install Yunus and serve the deep state’s purpose. Waker handles India, Russia, China, and the Pakistan lobby, while Yunus handles the Western lobby. Though the two groups appear at odds, ultimately, there is no real enmity.

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Yunus will provoke India, stir public sentiment, play the religious nationalism card, and keep elections uncertain to fulfill the deep state’s unfinished agenda in exchange for hefty sums. Waker will “cover up” by keeping India assured and maintaining good relations with India’s army chief.

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The more the election is delayed, the more Jamaat benefits. They are now running the government from behind the scenes and will continue to do so. The longer the delay, the more BNP will collapse. They must remain silent, limited to extortion and regional power grabs (Azhar walks free while Ishraq’s mayoral appointment is blocked).

Jamaat’s people have infiltrated all sectors of the administration. The rest will be completed once the new civil service law is enacted.

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General Waker is not India’s man, not the League’s man. Despite meeting Begum Khaleda, giving her state protocol upon her return after treatment, and escorting her off the plane under army guard, he is not BNP’s man either. So, whose man is he? Practically, his and Yunus’ interests are broadly aligned. Though they appear opposed, their interests are one and the same. Both are the deep state’s favorites.

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Waker has repeatedly said, “I have no political ambitions.” Why keep repeating this? In politics, there is no final word, no vacuum. In his 39-year military career, he has held key positions, including GOC of the 9th Infantry Division, Area Commander of Savar, Military Secretary at Army HQ, and Chief of General Staff. He also served as the Prime Minister’s Principal Staff Officer at the Armed Forces Division. As the PM’s Principal Staff Officer, he saw all the political elephants, horses, viziers, and ministers. Could nothing else be cooking?

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Conclusion:
One of human philosophy’s most coveted goals is power. If it’s state power, nothing else compares. Those who have known Muhammad Yunus for the past 30 years will agree he craves power. Bangladesh’s military top brass, modeled after Pakistan’s, has repeatedly proven its hunger for state power. Despite fierce non-cooperation movements by professional groups, BNP’s resistance, India’s sanctions, America’s silence, Russia’s threats, Myanmar’s threats, and the EU’s refusal to aid, how is Yunus’ government surviving? By police-bureaucracy-courts? Not at all. He survives by General Waker’s “mercy” or “promise.” Occasionally, Waker seems conscience-stricken and rises to save the country, then “falls asleep” again. Even those who barely know politics understand that if Waker withdraws support, Yunus’ government won’t last a moment. Yet, despite humiliation and neglect, he shows extreme patience!

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So, don’t mistake the eastern glow for dawn. Dawn is still far away. If the ousted party’s leaders and workers think, “Since he saved the leader’s life, one day he will bring her back to power as repayment,” they are living in fools’ paradise.

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Manzurul Haq
June 28, 2025