What is Happening in Bangladesh? Sheikh Hasina Resigns After Mass Protests

Written by A GURUSAIRAM

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Discover What is Happening in Bangladesh?: student protests force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign after 15 years in power, sparking national upheaval.

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, was compelled to resign and flee her country due to the spiraling demonstrations by students, which broke into deadly clashes that claimed nearly 300 lives during the violence. This paper tries to analyze reasons behind the protests and their spiraling, and what the future is in store for Bangladesh.

Introduction

The student protests have shaken Bangladesh, forcing the resignation and exile of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after a 15-year rule. The hundreds of deaths from the demonstrations drew international attention to the nation’s political crisis.

Background of the Protests

Protests erupted over a much-contested quota system for the government job. This system provided a significant chunk of these jobs for the descendants of those who had fought for independence for Bangladesh. This, while at best having been intended as a measure of rewarding these very families, many considered grossly unfair and discriminatory.

The Quota System: A Controversial Policy

The quota system reserved up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of war veterans. Critics have said this has privileged just one section of society and taken opportunities away from the general population looking for jobs, particularly young people.

Initial Spark: Dhaka University

The movement began in Dhaka University when students started demonstrating peacefully against the quota system. The situation became violent when members of the student wing of the ruling Awami League party launched an attack on the peaceful demonstrators. This resulted in increasing flames of protests and expanding unrest across the country.

What is Happening in Bangladesh?  The Role of the Supreme Court

Back in 2018, the government had suspended the job quotas in view of mass protests against it. A few days back, a ruling by the High Court reinstated the quotas and this resulted in fresh protests. After that, the Supreme Court ruled on its turn that 93 percent government jobs were to be based on merit while only seven percent were to be given to special categories.

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What is Happening in Bangladesh?
What is Happening in Bangladesh?

Government’s Response to Protests

Prime Minister Hasina showed no compromise vis-à-vis the protests and dubbed the protesters “terrorists” quite harshly, ordering the police to use live ammunition against them. This aggressive stance only further fueled protests and public outrage.

Escalation of Violence

With time and the spread, they became violent. Reports came of vandalism and arson against government buildings, offices of the ruling party, police stations, and homes of public representatives. Clashes were reported in 39 out of 64 districts of the country.

The Deadliest Day: Sunday’s Clashes

Sunday proved to be the most lethal day in this ongoing crisis, with at least 95 people, including protesters and police officers, being killed. With surety, this day proved to be a real hammer blow to the prevailing unrest and the government proving unable to take control.

Sheikh Hasina’s Resignation

The pressure was so hot that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and eloped from Bangladesh. Unconfirmed reports have it that she has sought asylum in India, a nation whose history closely overlaps with that of Bangladesh. The resignation brought an end to her 15-year service.

Aftermath and Interim Government Formation

Finally, the Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman declared the interim government to take control at this “critical time.” The basic reasons for which an interim government had to come into action include restoring order and addressing the demands of the student protesters.

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Student Demands and Ongoing Protests

Even after the resignation, student protesters still demand justice for the lives lost and a fairer system regarding government job allocations. They also want accountability regarding the government’s handling of the protests and the lives that were lost.

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What is Happening in Bangladesh?  – International Reactions

The violence in Bangladesh has been condemned by the international community. The United States, the United Kingdom and others have urged the interim government for calm and to keep democratic processes intact.

Economic Impact on Bangladesh

Agitation and subsequent instability have had a toll on Bangladesh’s economy. Business activities have been disrupted, with fears already being expressed over long-term impact it would cause to foreign investment and economic growth.

What is Happening in Bangladesh? – Social Media’s Role in Mobilization

Social media has been a huge factor in organizing the protests. From coordinating rallies to updates and gaining support both nationally and internationally, platforms like Facebook and Twitter have been utilized.

Future Prospects for Bangladesh

Bangladesh is on an uncertain frontier. Much remains to be seen as the interim government listens to protesters and tries to restore order. There is hope that out of this crisis will come significant reforms and a more inclusive government.

Conclusion

The Bangladesh student protests have come to force a huge political upheaval, breaking the long-reigned ruling of Sheikh Hasina. That is what this movement has done for a country where the future remains unknown. Now, the interim government has the responsibility to rebuild and move the nation forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What were the student protests in Bangladesh triggered by?

Such a provocative quota system, which set aside a large percentage of government jobs for the descendants of independence war veterans, drove the uprising.

2. How many people died in the protests?

The death toll in the protests is nearly 300; there have been casualties on both sides, amongst protesters as well as police.

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3. Why did Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resign?

Heavy pressure from countrywide protests and escalating violence finally forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign.

4. What will be the role of the interim government?

The chief of the armed forces, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, would head a caretaker government to stabilize the country and restore order, besides taking up the demands made by the protesting opposition.

5. What has happened to Bangladesh’s economy due to the protests?

The demonstrations have disturbed the business and raised fear of affecting foreign investment and long-term economic development in Bangladesh.

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