Rising Unrest Inside Bangladesh Bank Sparks Governance Concerns

Bangladesh Bank, the nation’s central banking authority, has witnessed repeated episodes of internal disorder and employee-led protests, yet formal disciplinary action has remained rare. Political backing from ruling party affiliates is widely regarded as the principal reason behind the ongoing disruptions, allowing such incidents to persist and escalate in intensity.

The latest incident occurred last Wednesday when a mob forcibly removed Ahsan Ullah, an adviser to the governor, from the premises. Central Bank Additional Director Touhidul Islam reportedly led the action, physically lifting the adviser into a vehicle. This followed heightened tensions after speculation of a potential change in the governor’s office. In response to the growing unrest, Governor Ahsan H. Mansur temporarily left the bank.

Bangladesh Bank is designated as a national critical infrastructure, or “Key Point Installation (KPI),” due to its importance to public interest and national security. Internationally, central banks rarely permit meetings or gatherings within their premises. Reflecting security concerns, last November Bangladesh Bank suspended five public-facing services, including savings certificates, prize bond sales, and the exchange of torn or damaged notes. A bank statement explained, “Considering Bangladesh Bank’s KPI status, these measures were necessary to ensure customer safety.” Yet, despite these precautions, a section of bank employees has continued to create disorder through protests and mob actions over several years.

Multiple associations and clubs within Bangladesh Bank facilitate collective demands and employee mobilisations. Officers and staff often stage protests under these banners, and some of these groups were reportedly involved in recent disruptive events. According to available data, the central bank hosts nine official employee clubs and associations, which hold elections every one to two years:

In addition to these, politically aligned factions operate within the bank. The Blue faction is associated with Awami League supporters, the Green faction with BNP supporters, and the Yellow faction includes members with affiliations to BNP, Awami League, and Jamaat. These factions actively participate in club and association elections. Other employee groups include the Nationalist Forum, Bangabandhu Parishad, and Zia Parishad, further demonstrating the blending of professional and political dynamics within the bank.

Experts warn that the persistence of such politically influenced unrest inside Bangladesh Bank not only undermines institutional discipline but also poses risks to national financial stability. With multiple groups leveraging both organisational and political clout, curbing disorder remains a significant governance challenge.