"The previous government had driven this country into despair"
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned after weeks of protests, violence and death.
Hasina left the country in a military helicopter and has travelled to India. It was reported that Hasina landed in India’s north-eastern city of Agartala.
Crowds ignored a national curfew on August 5, 2024, to storm the Prime Minister’s palace (the official residence) in Dhaka.
Hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested and injured, ensuring tension only increased.
The Prime Minister was referred to as a dictator by those demanding change and justice for those killed, injured, arrested and reportedly tortured.
At least 90 people were killed on August 4, 2024. Thirteen of those killed were police officers.
Protests initially began against the discriminatory quota system that was in place for jobs. The violent and deadly response from the government, its supporters and the police led to wider civil dissent.
On August 5, there were fears of more deadly protests. It is hoped the resignation will defuse some of the tension.
Addressing the nation, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Chief of Army Staff, confirmed that the Prime Minister had resigned and that the army would run the country as an interim government.
The General urged everyone in Bangladesh to trust the army and have patience:
“We will also ensure that justice is served for every death and crime that occurred during the protests.
“We have invited representatives from all major political parties, and they have accepted our invitation and committed to collaborating with us.”
Images on national TV have shown large crowds of protestors celebrating as the news of Hasina’s resignation and departure spread.
On X, there are posts of people cheering Hasina’s resignation, viewing it as a sign of tyranny ending and the students winning.
Student’s Won.#Bangladesh #India #Pakistan #SheikhHasina #Paris2024 #BBNaija #GOLD #??????? #LaCasaDeLosFamososMx #NaneNane #NaneNane #Riots #Bangladesh #dkpol #dilema pic.twitter.com/sbUplLC5ng
— Umar Mushtaq (@umar_mushtaq_) August 5, 2024
Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Shahbag Square, stated that he has “never witnessed something like this” in the capital:
“Everybody is celebrating, not just students; people from all walks of life.”
Chowdhury continued that protestors are clear that whoever comes into power knows they have had enough.
He said they will not “tolerate any kind of dictatorship or mismanagement and that the students will decide”.
The resignation and departure of Hasina have given many in Bangladesh hope.
The army promises to serve as an interim government while the next steps are taken.
UN special rapporteur Irene Khan asserted:
“We are all hoping that the transition would be peaceful and that there will be accountability for all the human rights violations that have taken place recently including the killing of about 300 people in the last three weeks.
“Bangladesh has, of course, an enormous task ahead.”
“It is not the poster child of sustainable development anymore.
“The previous government had driven this country into despair, and there would be a lot of hard work to do to build it up. But most of all I think its extremely important that the army respect human rights.”
People are sharing posts across social media showing images of the former prime minister being removed and destroyed to cheers.
Happy #Bangladesh!#HasinaDown #BangladeshWon pic.twitter.com/cdWKALiMVh
— Basherkella – ???????????? (@basherkella) August 5, 2024
Shamima, a British Bengali speaking to DESIblitz, said:
“I hope the army do as they said and are only there for the interim.
“So much blood and pain in the last few weeks. It’s going to take a long time for everyone to heal.
“I’m hoping this means I’m not going to see my mum and dad stressed any more. They’ve been up late worrying about family in Bangladesh.”
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