Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday following a month of violent protests against her government. Demonstrators, ignoring a military curfew, stormed her official residence, demanding her resignation and justice for the deaths caused by the unrest.
The protests, primarily driven by students, resulted in nearly 100 fatalities due to clashes with police. The violence peaked on Sunday, with 95 deaths, including 14 police officers, in the capital city of Dhaka.
The demonstrations were sparked by a reinstated quota system for public sector jobs, which many viewed as discriminatory. This policy, previously abolished in 2018 after protests, was reinstated by a court ruling in June. Young people, who see government jobs as essential for their future, were particularly affected.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the army chief, announced in a national address that the military would form an interim government. He urged an end to the violence, saying, “We must stop all fighting and destruction. Violence will not solve our problems.”
Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators ransacking Hasina’s unguarded residence in Dhaka. The government had imposed an internet blackout to control the situation, which was lifted later on Monday.
The crisis has strained Bangladesh’s international relations, especially with the United States and other Western countries. Hasina’s government has been accused of election fraud, arresting opposition leaders, and suppressing press freedom. Despite winning a fourth term in January, her victory was clouded by allegations of irregularities.
The ongoing violence has exposed deep-seated issues within the country, with over 200 deaths and thousands of injuries since the protests began. The military’s intervention and the establishment of an interim government mark a significant change in Bangladesh’s political scene as the nation seeks peace and justice.
