Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the country amidst severe violence that resulted in over 300 deaths. This marks some of the worst violence the country has seen in over 50 years. Sources reported that Hasina and her sister have left the Prime Minister’s official residence for a safer location.
Amidst this turmoil, Bangladesh Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman is set to address the nation. The recent violent protests on Sunday resulted in nearly 100 deaths, adding to the already high death toll.
The unrest in Bangladesh, which saw close to 100 deaths on Sunday, was driven by demands for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. These protests involved clashes with security forces and ruling party supporters. Last month, protests over government job quotas led to the deaths of at least 150 people and left thousands injured.
Read More: 91 Killed in Bangladesh as Protestors Demand PM Hasina’s Resignation
The ‘Students Against Discrimination’ group, which led last month’s job quota protests, is now leading the current demonstrations. While protests paused after the Supreme Court scrapped most quotas on July 21, they resumed last week with demands for a public apology from Hasina, the restoration of internet connections, reopening of educational institutions, and the release of those arrested. Over the weekend, these protests escalated into demands for Hasina’s resignation, seeking justice for those killed in the previous month.
Protesters hold Hasina’s government responsible for the violence during the July protests. Critics and human rights groups have accused her government of using excessive force, an allegation the government denies. Initially, Hasina’s government claimed students were not involved in the violence and blamed the clashes on the Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the main opposition, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). However, after violence erupted again, Hasina labeled the perpetrators as terrorists aiming to destabilize the nation.
Protests started at university campuses in June after the High Court brought back a quota system for government jobs, reversing a 2018 decision by Hasina’s government to eliminate it. The Supreme Court later suspended the high court order, directing that 93% of jobs should be open to candidates based on merit.
Experts link the current unrest to stagnant job growth in the private sector, making public sector jobs highly desirable due to their regular wage increases and benefits. The quotas have angered students facing high youth unemployment, with nearly 32 million young people out of work or education in a population of 170 million. The economy, previously one of the fastest-growing due to the booming garments sector, has stagnated with inflation around 10% per year and shrinking dollar reserves.
Hasina retained power for a fourth term in a January election boycotted by BNP, which accused her Awami League of attempting to legitimize sham elections. BNP claimed 10 million party workers were on the run, with nearly 25,000 arrested following deadly anti-government protests on October 28. Hasina blamed BNP for inciting these protests, which left at least 10 people dead.
