Breaking News: Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Resigns Amid Protests
In a dramatic turn of events, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh has officially resigned after weeks of intense and deadly anti-government protests, marking the end of her over 20-year reign in the nation’s political arena.
Reports indicate that Hasina, 76, has fled the country and is presumed to have arrived in India. Following the announcement of her resignation, celebratory crowds filled the streets, with some demonstrators storming the prime minister’s palace, leading to instances of looting and vandalism.
In light of the political upheaval, Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman announced plans to initiate discussions on establishing an interim government. He expressed hope for a resolution by the end of the day after addressing the nation on a televised broadcast.
Hours post-resignation, President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of Khaleda Zia, the jailed former prime minister and opposition leader, amid soaring tensions.
Waker-Uz-Zaman has already engaged with opposition parties but did not specify who would lead the new government. He urged citizens to trust the army, promising that “all killings, all injustice” would be thoroughly investigated.
As chaos erupted in Dhaka, protesters were seen removing furniture from the former prime minister’s residence, while attacks ensued on police and government buildings, culminating in at least 20 fatalities on Monday. Notably, there were violent attempts to remove a statue of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Hasina.
In response to the unrest, military and police forces have been deployed throughout the city, with mobile phone services briefly suspended.
The political landscape of Bangladesh is now left uncertain after Hasina’s departure, which has historically been marked by rivalry between her Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The country has undergone several military coups, the most recent being in 2007.
Amid the turmoil, economist Debapriya Bhattacharya voiced concerns regarding escalating violence against the Hindu minority, emphasizing the challenges the new leadership will face in maintaining law and order. Bhattacharya noted that while the resignations sparked widespread "euphoria," it also led to increased hostility toward minority communities.
The recent unrest was incited by a contentious quota system for government jobs, with nearly 300 lives claimed since the protests began a month ago. High unemployment rates and competition for civil service positions have exacerbated public discontent.
Dr. Chietigj Bajpaee, a research fellow, highlighted how public sector job quotas became a focal point for the anti-government movement. He indicated that the prevailing frustration among Bangladesh’s youth over extended "one-party rule" has fueled demands for democratic reforms and economic opportunities.
With the former prime minister’s allies asserting that she will not return to power, the nation now looks to the military’s leadership for resolution, hoping for urgent attention to the pressing demands of protesters, including improvements in education and job provisions.
