Sheikh Hasina Flees, Khaleda Zia’s Release Ordered: A Roundup Of Developments In Bangladesh
Bangladesh has plunged into political turmoil as five time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on Monday amid escalating protests and violence which has claimed nearly 100 lives, culminated in the military seizing control of the government and announcing the formation of an interim administration. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and archenemy of Hasina, Khaleda Zia has been ordered by the President to be released from prison, marking a significant shift in the South Asian nation’s political history.
Hasina Resigns and Flee
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled Bangladesh on Monday afternoon as violent protests engulfed the capital, Dhaka, and as the protesters approached the PM residence, according to reports. Her departure came minutes before protesters breached her fortified residence, Ganobhaban, forcing her to seek refuge. Shortly after her departure, the country’s army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, addressed the nation, announcing that the military had taken control of law and order in Bangladesh and promising the establishment of an interim government to restore stability.
Protests Sparked by Job Quota Controversy
The current wave of unrest in Bangladesh began last month when the high court ordered the restoration of a 30% job quota for descendants of freedom fighters. Students, angered by the decision, took to the streets demanding the quota’s elimination, but Hasina refused to comply, citing ongoing legal proceedings. Her controversial remarks labeling the protesters as ‘Razakars’—a term for collaborators with the Pakistani army during the 1971 War of Independence—fueled further unrest, leading to widespread violence and escalating tensions across the nation. The long-brewing discontent among the Opposition parties who have been alleging rigged elections in the country also added fuel to the escalating unrest as the protesting students got full fledged support from Hasina’s political rivals.
Economic Struggles Exacerbate Unrest
The ongoing protests have been exacerbated by Bangladesh’s struggling economy and high youth unemployment. With nearly 32 million young people out of work or education, the job quota system has become a flashpoint for broader frustrations among the students and youth of the countr. The once-thriving garment sector has stagnated, inflation remains high at around 10% per annum, and the country’s dollar reserves are dwindling. These economic challenges have heightened public anger, driving many to join the protests demanding systemic change.
Military Takes Control, Promises Interim Government
In response to the escalating crisis, on Monday afternoon, General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced on state television that the military had taken control and would form an interim government. The military’s intervention follows weeks of deadly protests, with the situation reaching a tipping point after nearly 100 people were killed in a single day of unrest. The military’s move aims to restore order, but it also marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political power dynamics, with the promise of a new government on the horizon.
Khaleda Zia’s Release Ordered
Amid these dramatic developments, Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the immediate release of jailed former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Zia, who has been serving a 17-year prison sentence for graft since 2018, has been in poor health and confined to a hospital. Her release was decided in a meeting led by the president, which included top military officials and leaders from opposition parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. This decision marks a significant political shift, as Zia’s release may reshape the country’s politics in the coming weeks.
