Sheikh Hasina resigned as Bangladesh's long-serving prime minister in August 2024 after weeks of deadly protests that started over a controversial quota system for government jobs, but morphed into a wider anti-government movement.

Hasina fled to India, while other members of her Awami League party were either arrested in connection with the protests or went into hiding.

Today, in the capital, Dhaka, the main office of the powerful opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Hasina rival and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is a hub of activity.

Many BNP members, including Zia, who had been imprisoned on charges including graft, vandalism and violence — which the BNP says were politically motivated during Hasina's 15-year tenure — are now free.

Abdus Salam, a prominent BNP leader, told DW that the only change he sees since Hasina fled to India in August 2024 is political freedom.

"We were in hiding during this time last year. We were not able to stay in our homes. We were facing numerous court cases. We didn't have a normal life. That suffering may have ended," he said.

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In another busy Dhaka street, Ambia, a garment factory worker, told DW that while she admires the students who led last year's uprising to bring change in her country, she said her expectations have not yet been met.

"I hoped that the anarchy would end, and that people wouldn't politicize every incident," said Ambia. "The political parties create many issues whenever something happens. I didn't expect that. The feeling of security hasn't returned........

© Deutsche Welle