Tumultuous Times in Bangladesh: The Downfall of Sheikh Hasina
In a shocking turn of events, the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, erupted with the cries of hundreds of thousands of protesters. A day following the tragic deaths of approximately 100 individuals during antigovernment demonstrations, citizens defied a curfew imposed by the government, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In a dramatic twist, their demands were met. After 15 years of increasingly authoritarian governance marked by the suppression of opposition voices and tight control over the armed forces and judiciary, Ms. Hasina ultimately bowed to mounting pressure. According to military sources, she fled the country in a helicopter, marking an unprecedented and unforeseen exit from power.
This sudden change in leadership has plunged Bangladesh into a state of lawlessness and uncertainty. It has set the stage for an impending power struggle between leaders of her ruling party, the Awami League, and the principal opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The political landscape, already notorious for its volatility and at times bloody confrontations, is now poised for further turmoil.
The role of the military, which has a history of intervening in political affairs, remains ambiguous. It is yet to be revealed whether the military played a part in persuading Ms. Hasina to leave or if they will actively influence the next steps in this unfolding crisis. On Monday afternoon, General Waker-uz-Zaman, the Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh Army, announced her departure and indicated that he would advocate for the establishment of an interim government.
Neither Ms. Hasina, who is now 76 years old, nor the Awami League has issued any public statements regarding this unexpected upheaval, leaving many in shock. The political drama in Bangladesh continues to unfold, as citizens grapple with the implications of this momentous change.
A portrait of Ms. Hasina was displayed last November on the campus of Dhaka University, one of the significant locations where recent protests grew into a formidable antigovernment movement that ultimately led to her ousting on Monday.
