Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday after a month of violent protests demanding her ouster. Protesters stormed her official residence, defying a military curfew, and called for her resignation and accountability for those killed in clashes with police.
The protests, primarily led by students, resulted in nearly 100 deaths. Sunday was the most violent day, with 95 people, including 14 police officers, killed in the capital city of Dhaka.
The unrest was sparked by a controversial quota system for public sector jobs, seen as discriminatory. This system, initially abolished in 2018 following protests, was reinstated by a court ruling in June. Young people, who depend on government jobs for a secure future, were particularly affected.
Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the military would form an interim government. He urged the nation to cease hostilities, saying, “We cannot achieve anything through fighting and destruction. Let us stop all conflicts and violence.”
Footage on social media showed protesters ransacking Hasina’s unguarded residence in Dhaka. The government had temporarily shut down internet services to control the unrest, but access was restored later on Monday.
The protests have strained Bangladesh’s international relations, especially with the United States and other Western nations. Hasina’s government faced accusations of election fraud, arresting opposition leaders, and limiting press freedom. Her fourth consecutive term, won in January, was heavily criticized for alleged voting irregularities.
The ongoing violence has highlighted deep-seated issues within the country, with over 200 deaths and thousands of injuries since the protests began. The military’s intervention and the formation of an interim government represent a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political landscape as the nation seeks peace and justice.
