By Dr. Sohail Mahmood

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stepped down from her position after prolonged protests over a controversial quota system in government jobs. On August 5, 2024, General Zaman, the Army chief announced that an interim government, with the participation of all parties, would be formed to run the affairs  Hasina, who was the longest-serving Prime Minister of the country since independence, earlier blamed the opposition for the turmoil in the country.  As expected, Hasina fled to India. Hasina had won a fourth straight term in January in an election boycotted by the opposition.[1]

Earlier in July, rallies against the government had turned violent and killed more than 200 people. On August 3, 2024, Bangladeshi student leaders said that they would continue a planned nationwide civil disobedience campaign until Hasina resigned following last month's deadly police crackdown on protesters. Troop deployments briefly restored order, but crowds returned to the streets in substantial numbers this week ahead of an all-out non-cooperation movement aimed at paralyzing the government planned to begin on August 4, 2024.

Students Against Discrimination, the group responsible for organizing the first protests, rebuffed an offer of talks with Hasina earlier on August 4, 2024, before announcing their campaign would continue until the premier and her government step down. The student organization had asked their compatriots to cease paying taxes and utility bills to pile pressure on the government.

They have also asked government workers and laborers in the country's economically vital garment factories to strike.[2]

The death toll in the turmoil had reached 300 Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the country’s founder, and had the staunch support of neighboring India. Overall, the country had done well on the economic front as compared to other regional countries. Hasina's 15-year-long tenure was marked by significant economic growth but also by widespread political repression and human rights sanctions against her security forces. Hasina had faced accusations of overseeing a flawed election boycotted by the opposition. Critics have pointed out many rights abuses under her rule, including the killing of opposition activists.[3] Undoubtedly, the Hasina government was repressive and corrupt. The country faced an inequitable distribution of wealth and youth unemployment was high. Therefore, the people have now mostly welcomed the demise of the Hasina government.

Despite the civilian façade, the military is now in control in Bangladesh and will administer it as before. Will the army relinquish power after holding fair and credible elections still to be seen?

Dr. Sohail Mahmood is a political analyst located in Chapel Hill, NC.

[1] Bangladesh PM steps down, interim govt to run country: army chief, Reuters, August 5, 2024, https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1216865-bangladesh-pm-flees-her-palace-as-protesters-roam-streets ;  Bangladesh PM Hasina Wajid resigns in response to protestors' demands, Express Tribune, August 5.2024, https://tribune.com.pk/story/2485696/bangladesh-pm-hasina-wajid-resigns-from-post; Interim government to be formed in Bangladesh, confirms Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman as Sheikh Hasina flees nation amid protests, India Blooms News Service, August 5, 2024, https://www.indiablooms.com/world-details/SA/43115/interim-government-to-be-formed-in-bangladesh-confirms-army-chief-waker-uz-zaman-as-sheikh-hasina-quits-leaves-nation-amid-protests.html

[2] Ibid

[3] Bangladesh news: As PM Hasina flees Dhaka BSF orders 'high alert' along India-Bangladesh border; DG reaches Kolkata, Live Mint, August 5, 2024, https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/bangladesh-news-as-pm-hasina-flees-dhaka-bsf-orders-high-alert-along-india-bangladesh-border-dg-reaches-kolkata/ar-AA1ofNnP?ocid=BingNewsVerp