Dhaka, Bangladesh – In a dramatic turn of events, Sheikh Hasina has resigned as Prime Minister of Bangladesh amid violent clashes between her supporters and protesters demanding her departure. The Bangladesh Army has stepped in, announcing plans to form an interim government and calling for a return to peace.
Hasina Flees Amid Protests
Sheikh Hasina, who began her fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister in 2009, departed the capital Dhaka in a military helicopter and is reportedly heading to a safer location, potentially in India. Accompanied by her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, Hasina’s departure marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Protesters, who have been calling for Hasina’s resignation, stormed Gono Bhaban, the Prime Minister’s official residence. The Bangladesh Army, which had reportedly given Hasina a 45-minute ultimatum to step down, appears to be taking control of the situation.
Shocking visuals of protesters vandalizing a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father and a key figure in Bangladesh’s fight for independence from Pakistan, have surfaced, further escalating the tensions on Dhaka’s streets.
The Root of the Protests
The unrest, which began last month, was initially sparked by opposition to a controversial quota system that reserves 30 percent of government jobs for family members of Muktijoddhas—those who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. Critics argue that this system unfairly favors supporters of Hasina’s Awami League party and call for its replacement with a merit-based system.
As the protests intensified, the government’s efforts to suppress the movement led to violent clashes, resulting in over 300 deaths. The government’s crackdown and the subsequent escalation of violence have fueled widespread dissatisfaction and demands for significant political change.
Army’s Role and Future Outlook
General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the chief of the Bangladesh Army, has announced that the military will establish an interim government and has urged protesters to de-escalate and return to peaceful demonstrations. The Army’s intervention underscores the severity of the crisis and the growing instability in the country.
The resignation of Sheikh Hasina and the military’s takeover signal a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political history. The future direction of the country will hinge on the Army’s ability to restore order and address the underlying issues that have fueled the ongoing unrest.
