Timeline of Events Leading to Bangladesh PM Hasina Wajid’s Resignation

Timeline of Events Leading to Bangladesh PM Hasina Wajid’s Resignation. In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India amid escalating protests and violence that have gripped the nation. The announcement of her resignation was made by Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman in a televised address. This article provides a detailed timeline of the events leading to Hasina’s resignation.

Timeline of Events Leading to Bangladesh PM Hasina Wajid’s Resignation

The initial spark of unrest began when university students initiated blockades, disrupting roads and railway lines. Their demand was for reforms in the quota system for public sector jobs, which they claimed unfairly favored loyalists of Hasina’s ruling Awami League. Despite winning a fifth term in January, Hasina dismissed the protests, stating students were “wasting their time”.

The situation escalated when violence broke out, resulting in the deaths of six people following clashes between protesters and pro-government supporters in Dhaka. In response, Hasina’s government closed schools and universities nationwide.

Despite an appeal for calm from Hasina, students rejected her call and continued to demand her resignation. Protesters chanted “down with the dictator” and torched the headquarters of Bangladesh Television along with other government buildings. In a bid to curb the unrest, the government imposed an internet blackout. The clashes resulted in at least 32 deaths and hundreds of injuries, despite the implementation of a curfew and the deployment of soldiers.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruled against reintroducing job quotas, a decision critics viewed as aligning with Hasina’s government. However, the verdict did not satisfy the protesters’ demands to abolish job reservations for the children of “freedom fighters” from Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war.

The protests took a significant turn when hundreds of thousands clashed with government supporters again, leading to 68 deaths, including 14 police officers. Former Army chief General Ikbal Karim Bhuiyan urged the government to withdraw troops and condemned the killings. Current Army chief Waker-uz-Zaman stated that the armed forces “always stood by the people”.

Leaders of the civil disobedience campaign called on supporters to march on Dhaka for a “final protest”. The escalating confrontation with the government reached its peak, forcing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the capital, Dhaka.

The resignation of Sheikh Hasina marks a significant moment in Bangladesh’s history, bringing an end to her long tenure as Prime Minister. The interim government, as announced by General Waker-Uz-Zaman, will now take over, and the future of Bangladesh’s political landscape remains uncertain. The violent clashes and the demand for reforms highlight the deep-seated issues within the country that need to be addressed to restore peace and stability.