After 15 years of leadership, Sheikh Hasina, often referred to as the ‘Iron Lady’ of Bangladesh, resigned and fled the country amid escalating anti-government protests that culminated on Monday. The streets of Dhaka, which had been engulfed in violence and unrest for the past three weeks, erupted in celebration following her departure.
Bangladesh’s army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced the imminent formation of a new interim government, to be established through consultations with political parties, excluding the former ruling party, Awami League. He pledged to end the crackdown that resulted in over 300 fatalities and is scheduled to meet with student protest leaders today.
Sheikh Hasina, who arrived in India via a military aircraft, is reportedly seeking asylum in the United Kingdom. However, her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, refuted these claims, stating that she does not intend to return to Bangladesh either.
Top Developments:
Sheikh Hasina’s Departure: Sheikh Hasina departed Bangladesh via helicopter, landing at Hindon Airbase on the outskirts of Delhi on Monday. She was received by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and senior officials, who communicated India’s stance on the unfolding situation in Bangladesh.
Plans for Asylum: Sources from news agency PTI indicate that Hasina plans to travel to London to seek asylum. However, her plans remain uncertain as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called for a full and independent UN-led investigation into the recent violence in Bangladesh.
Awaiting Clearances: Hasina has remained at Hindon Airbase for the past 14 hours, awaiting clearances from the UK for her onward travel. Courtesy meetings are planned during her stay, with the Prime Minister’s Office closely monitoring the situation.
Volatile Situation: The situation in Bangladesh remains unstable, with continued violence following Hasina’s departure. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that all government and private offices, factories, and educational institutions would reopen on Tuesday.
Meeting with Protest Leaders: Bangladesh’s army chief is set to meet with student protest leaders as the country prepares for the formation of a new government. The students, initially protesting against job quotas and later demanding Hasina’s resignation, are advocating for an interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, as reported by Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo.
Celebrations and Unrest: The end of Hasina’s rule was met with jubilation by many, with visuals of protesters occupying her official residence, looting, and causing destruction going viral. Protesters also stormed the parliament building, looting and defacing property.
Release of Khaleda Zia: Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of jailed former Prime Minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, hours after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. Zia, chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, had been sentenced to 17 years in prison for corruption in 2018.
International Responses: The United States called for a democratic and inclusive formation of an interim government and urged all parties to refrain from further violence. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a full and independent probe into all acts of violence.
Sheikh Hasina had led Bangladesh since 2009, a period marked by significant economic growth with the country’s GDP growing at an average rate of over 6% per year. Despite this, her administration faced criticism for alleged human rights abuses, corruption, and suppression of political opposition.
