Bangladesh in Turmoil: PM Sheikh Hasina Resigns Amid Violent Protests
Bangladesh is facing a significant political upheaval after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday. The resignation followed weeks of escalating protests against a controversial quota system for government jobs, which spiraled into violent demonstrations challenging her 15-year rule.
Unrest Turns Violent
The protests, initially peaceful, began with frustrated students demanding the abolition of a quota system that they claimed favored individuals connected to the ruling Awami League party. However, the movement quickly expanded into a broader challenge to Hasina's government. On Sunday, the unrest reached a boiling point when nearly 100 people were killed in clashes, prompting thousands of demonstrators to storm Hasina's official residence.
Hasina's Departure
Amidst the chaos, Prime Minister Hasina was seen boarding a military helicopter with her sister, leaving the nation in turmoil. Hours later, General Waker-uz-Zaman, the country’s military chief, announced his intention to seek the president’s guidance on forming an interim government. He assured the public that the military would investigate the deadly crackdown on student-led protests and promised that no military or police personnel would engage in further violence.
“Keep faith in the military, we will investigate all the killings and punish those responsible,” General Zaman stated. He also confirmed that he had met with opposition politicians and civil society members to discuss the situation.
Broader Implications
Hasina's departure threatens to plunge Bangladesh into further instability. The nation, already grappling with high unemployment, corruption, and climate change, now faces an uncertain political future. The 76-year-old leader was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term in January, but the election was marred by accusations of voter suppression and a boycott by major opposition parties. The U.S. and the U.K. had denounced the election results as not credible, although Hasina's government defended them.
Despite her strong ties with powerful nations like India and China, Hasina's relationship with Western countries had deteriorated due to concerns over human rights violations and press freedoms in Bangladesh. Her political opponents accused her of becoming increasingly autocratic, and many now argue that the current unrest is a direct result of her authoritarian governance.
Immediate Aftermath
As Hasina fled to a city in India near the Bangladesh border, protesters stormed her residence, looting furniture and food. The government’s efforts to quell the demonstrations have resulted in nearly 300 deaths since mid-July, with at least 95 fatalities, including 14 police officers, occurring in the capital on Sunday alone, according to Prothom Alo, a leading Bengali-language daily newspaper. Hundreds more have been injured, and at least 11,000 people have been arrested in recent weeks.
The unrest has led to the closure of schools and universities across the country, and at one point, authorities imposed a shoot-on-sight curfew. In a bid to control the situation, the government shut off mobile internet services on Sunday and briefly cut broadband internet on Monday morning, marking the second internet blackout since July.
A Nation in Crisis
The protests continued even after the Supreme Court ruled last month that the quota system, which reserved up to 30% of government jobs for family members of veterans from Bangladesh’s war of independence against Pakistan, must be drastically reduced. The government's use of force against demonstrators has only fueled public outrage.
Over the weekend, protesters called for a “non-cooperation” effort, urging citizens not to pay taxes or utility bills and to avoid going to work. Although offices, banks, and factories opened, public transport was largely halted due to fears of violence, making it difficult for commuters in Dhaka and other cities to reach their jobs.
Prime Minister Hasina had offered to engage in dialogue with student leaders, but her proposal was rejected, with protest coordinators demanding her resignation. Hasina reiterated her commitment to investigating the violence and punishing those responsible, but her earlier statements labeling protesters as criminals and urging the public to deal with them harshly have only intensified the public's anger.
As Bangladesh navigates this period of turmoil, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The coming days will be crucial in determining the nation’s future, as political leaders, the military, and civil society members work towards stability and reform.