Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled amid escalating public protests. Student protesters in Bangladesh are calling for the appointment of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus as the chief advisor of the new interim government.
Before being ousted on Monday, 76-year-old Hasina had been in power in Bangladesh for over 20 years. Critics argue that her rule has been increasingly authoritarian.
Last month, students launched protests demanding the cancellation of public job quotas. The Bangladesh Supreme Court later supported this demand by canceling most public job quotas, but the protests evolved into a wider movement calling for her ousting.
According to local media reports, on Monday, thousands of protesters demanding Hasina’s resignation marched towards her residence, taking control of the streets in the capital city of Dhaka, resulting in at least 135 deaths. This led Hasina and her sister to decide to flee, reportedly boarding a helicopter to India.
On Monday, Army Chief of Staff Waker-Uz-Zaman addressed the nation on television. He announced Hasina’s resignation and stated that the military is working to prevent further unrest. He mentioned holding talks with all major political party leaders and planned to meet with President Mohammed Shahabuddin to discuss the country’s future.
The military stated that Zaman plans to meet with protest organizers on Tuesday at noon local time. President Shahabuddin also stated in a televised speech on Monday evening that the interim government will hold elections as soon as consultations with all parties and stakeholders are completed.
One of the main organizers of the protests in Bangladesh, Nahid Islam, stated that Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus is their preferred leader for the interim government.
Islam mentioned in a video posted on social media that student protest leaders have discussed with Yunus, who, considering the current state of the country, has agreed to take the position.
84-year-old Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, is one of the most prominent figures in the South Asian country. He is the founder of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, known for providing small loans without collateral to the poor, helping millions escape poverty.
During Hasina’s tenure, Yunus faced multiple corruption allegations. His supporters believe Hasina viewed him as a potential rival and sought revenge based on political motives.
Islam stated that student protesters will disclose more government officials’ names and urge the current leadership not to ignore their demands.
This densely populated South Asian country is facing a series of crises such as high unemployment, corruption, and climate change. Hasina’s departure could lead to further instability. Due to security concerns, the main airport in the capital Dhaka has been suspended.
Following the news of Hasina’s escape on Monday, protesters attacked and looted her residence and other buildings, reminiscent of the 2022 protests that ousted Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
People also targeted the statue of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a hero of Bangladesh’s independence movement.
Exiled Acting Chairman of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman posted on X, urging the Bangladeshi people to show restraint and calm during the transition on the democratic path.
He added, “If people decide to take the law into their own hands without following due process, it will subvert the spirit of revolution.”