Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Resigns Amid Deadly Protests
In a shocking turn of events, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned after weeks of deadly anti-government protests, bringing an end to her more than two-decade-long rule. The 76-year-old leader reportedly fled the country, landing in India on Monday, as jubilant crowds took to the streets to celebrate the news.
Protesters were seen storming the prime ministerial palace, looting and vandalizing parts of her former residence. Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the military would begin talks on forming an interim government, while President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of jailed former prime minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia.
The resignation of Ms. Hasina has left a power vacuum in Bangladeshi politics, which has long been dominated by a rivalry between her Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The country has a history of military coups, with the most recent one occurring in 2007.
The protests, which initially began over a quota system for government jobs, escalated into a broader anti-government movement, resulting in the deaths of at least 66 people. Demonstrators also attempted to tear down a statue of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ms. Hasina’s father.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of Ms. Hasina’s resignation, concerns have been raised about the protection of religious minorities and the implementation of democratic reforms. Critics of Ms. Hasina’s rule have accused her of human rights abuses, while her supporters credit her with turning Bangladesh into one of the rising tigers of Asia.
The new government faces the daunting task of addressing the demands of the protesters, including democratic reforms, better job opportunities, and improvements to the education system. The future of Bangladesh hangs in the balance as the nation navigates this period of political upheaval and transition.
