DHAKA (Diya TV) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh resigned on Monday following weeks of deadly anti-government demonstrations that engulfed the nation. The announcement came from Bangladesh’s army chief, Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, after protesters stormed the prime minister’s official residence in Dhaka.
Images circulated of vehicles ablaze near Hasina’s house, with police overwhelmed by crowds charging into the neighborhood. Protesters also defaced a statue of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s independence leader. Earlier, military and police forces clashed with demonstrators, leading to over 91 deaths and hundreds of injuries on Sunday alone.
The protests initially targeted the government’s job quotas, seen as discriminatory, but evolved into calls for Hasina’s resignation. The death toll on Sunday was the highest in the country’s recent history, with at least 13 police officers among the dead. The unrest spread to cities like Rajshahi, Barisal, and Chittagong, prompting a nationwide curfew. Human rights groups accused authorities of using excessive force, a claim the government denies.
Gen. Zaman announced the military would form an interim government and urged students to maintain peace. “We will fulfill your demands and bring back peace. Please help us and stay away from violence,” he stated, assuring that neither the military nor police would fire on civilians.
The US embassy in Dhaka advised US citizens to shelter in safe places and consider returning home due to the volatile situation. Dhaka’s main airport temporarily closed following Hasina’s resignation.
Hasina had previously accused the student protesters of being terrorists. Her resignation followed concerns over increased political violence and accusations of her government moving towards authoritarianism after securing a fourth consecutive term in January’s elections, boycotted by the main opposition party.
Public reaction to Hasina’s resignation was mixed. Some celebrated, seeing it as a step towards a freer nation, while others remained cautious about the future.
On Monday, police reportedly opened fire on protesters, with incidents of beatings and tear gas use. Despite a near-total internet shutdown, videos surfaced showing security forces firing live rounds into the air near protesters.
Following her resignation, jubilant crowds looted the presidential residence and defaced public property. Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, confirmed she fled for safety and wouldn’t return to politics.
