Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left Dhaka amid violent protests sparked by the quota system in government jobs. Facing intense pressure, Sheikh Hasina, along with her sister Sheikh Rehana, left Bangladesh for India, with plans to move to London later. After their departure, the Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman held a press conference confirming her resignation and announced that an interim government would be formed. He also stated that the protests had caused significant damage to the country’s economy.
Anti-Quota to Anti-Government: Protests and its Impact
The protest, which erupted on July 1, led to widespread unrest across the country and resulted in the deaths of at least 200 students and police officers. The students were protesting against the unfair quota system in government jobs, where the children and grandchildren of 1971 war veterans were given preference for high-paying positions. The protesters demanded that jobs be allocated based on merit. Currently, 30 per cent of government jobs are reserved for 1971 war heroes and their descendants, with additional quotas for women, the disabled, and minorities.
Addressing the student protests in a July 14 press conference, Sheikh Hasina sarcastically remarked, “If the grandchildren of freedom fighters do not receive quota benefits, who would? The grandchildren of Razakars?“, which further fueled the anger of the protesters.
Sheikh Hasina: Decision to Resign
Several hundred people in protests that erupted on August 4, demanding Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. In total, at least 200 people, including police officers, lost their lives in the violent demonstrations against the controversial quota system. The unrest prompted authorities to impose curfews in major cities and led to at least 11000 arrests. The government ordered an internet and social media shutdown in Bangladesh to suppress the protests, but the situation remained unchanged.
Later, the Bangladeshi army issued a 45-minute ultimatum for Sheikh Hasina to resign. She complied, leaving the country with her sister in an army helicopter to seek refuge in India, while the BSF issued a high alert along the 4,096 km India-Bangladesh border.
Sheikh Hasina son Sajeeb wazed showed his disappointment and declare her mother will never return to Bangladesh. “She has turned Bangladesh around. When she took over power it was considered a failing state. It was a poor country. Until today it was considered one of the rising tigers of Asia. She’s very disappointed,” he further told BBC in an interview.
Conclusion
Sheikh Hasina’s resignation marks a significant turning point in Bangladesh’s political landscape. The protests, which escalated into a national crisis, highlighted deep-seated frustrations over the quota system and raised questions about governance and fairness in the country. The loss of lives and the imposition of curfews reflect the severe impact these events had on Bangladesh, both socially and economically. As an interim government takes charge, the nation faces a period of uncertainty and reflection. Sheikh Hasina’s departure, under intense pressure and a military ultimatum, underscores the power of public dissent and the fragile balance of power in Bangladesh. The country’s future now hinges on how these issues are addressed in the coming months.
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