Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh resigned and fled the country on Monday, following a surge of violent protests that left the nation in turmoil. Demonstrators, defying a military curfew, stormed her official residence, demanding her resignation.
The protests, largely driven by students, escalated over the past month, leading to nearly 100 deaths in clashes with law enforcement. On Sunday, the situation reached its peak, with 95 people, including 14 police officers, killed in violent confrontations.
The unrest was triggered by the reinstatement of a controversial quota system for public sector jobs, seen by many as unfair. This policy, initially abolished in 2018 after significant opposition, was reinstated by a court ruling in June. Young people, who rely on government jobs for stability, were particularly impacted.
In a national address, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the military would take over and form an interim government. He called for an end to the violence, saying, “We cannot continue with this fighting and destruction. We need to stop all conflicts.”
Videos circulating on social media showed protesters ransacking Hasina’s unguarded residence in Dhaka. The government had imposed an internet blackout to control the unrest, which was lifted later on Monday.
The crisis has strained Bangladesh’s relationships with the United States and other Western nations. Hasina’s administration faced accusations of election fraud, arresting opposition leaders, and suppressing press freedom. Her fourth consecutive term, won in January, was heavily criticized for alleged voting irregularities.
The ongoing violence has highlighted the deep-rooted issues within the country. Over 200 people have died, and thousands have been injured since the protests began. The military’s takeover and the formation of an interim government represent a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political scene as the nation seeks peace and justice.
