Bangladesh Military Takes Over After Sheikh Hasina’s Surprise Resignation
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country following weeks of violent anti-government protests. Her departure marks the end of more than two decades at the helm of Bangladeshi politics and has plunged the nation into uncertainty.
The protests, which began over controversial government job quotas, escalated dramatically. Demonstrators stormed Hasina’s official residence in Dhaka, looting furniture, bedding, and even animals. They also vandalized a statue of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, an iconic figure in Bangladesh’s independence movement.
“We went there out of anger,” said Monsur Ali, a garment worker who joined thousands in ransacking the prime minister’s residence. “Nothing is left there.”
In a televised address, Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman confirmed Hasina’s resignation and announced the formation of an interim government. He called for peace and assured the public that the military would not fire on civilians.
“Whatever demands you have, we will fulfill and bring back peace to the nation,” Zaman said. “Please help us in this, stay away from violence.”
President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister and opposition leader, from jail, signaling a shift in the political landscape.
The news of Hasina’s resignation sparked both jubilation and concern. Crowds celebrated in the streets, with some expressing hope for a better future.
“Let’s work together to build a better Bangladesh we’ve always dreamed of,” said Arifeen Mahmood Khan, a resident of Dhaka.
However, the resignation also left a power vacuum. Attacks on religious minorities, particularly Hindus, have increased, highlighting the immediate need for law and order.
“There is a feeling that India completely backed Sheikh Hasina’s government,” said Debapriya Bhattacharya, a senior economist in Dhaka.
“Protesters make no distinction between India and Hindu citizens of Bangladesh, which has already led to attacks on temples and people.”
The unrest began with opposition to a quota system that reserved a significant portion of government jobs for descendants of veterans from the 1971 independence war. High unemployment and frustration over one-party rule for the past 15 years fueled the protests.
“Public sector job quotas became a lightning rod for anti-government unrest,” explained Dr. Chietigj Bajpaee, a senior research fellow at Chatham House.
The government scaled back the quotas following a Supreme Court ruling, but protests continued, demanding justice for those killed and injured, as well as Hasina’s resignation.
Human rights organizations have condemned the government’s response to the protests, citing excessive force. The US Embassy in Dhaka urged its citizens to stay in safe locations and consider returning to their home country amid the volatile situation.
The main airport in Dhaka, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, was temporarily closed following Hasina’s resignation.
Her departure has left Bangladesh at a crossroads. The formation of a credible interim government and the implementation of democratic reforms will be critical in the coming days.
“Hasina may be gone, but there is still a long road ahead for Bangladesh,” said Khatib Zahin, a protester. “Until our religious minorities and ethnic minorities are protected and justice comes to them too, the nation is not free.”