Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the country, marking the end of her 15-year tenure. This comes after weeks of violent protests against a quota system for government jobs, culminating in the deaths of at least 300 people and escalating into a broader challenge to her leadership. Thousands of demonstrators stormed her official residence and other buildings associated with her party and family.
Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, announced on Monday that his mother will not return to politics. He revealed that Hasina had been contemplating stepping down since Sunday, citing her disappointment that a minority had risen up against her after all her work. Joy defended Hasina’s leadership, stating that she transformed Bangladesh from a failing state into a rising tiger of Asia. He attributed her departure to security concerns, claiming that her family insisted she leave for her safety.
Joy also countered allegations of the government’s heavy-handed approach towards protestors. He argued that the police were forced to act after being subjected to violence, citing the deaths of 13 police officers just the day before.
Hasina’s departure could exacerbate instability in Bangladesh, a densely populated nation bordering India, which is already grappling with a range of crises, including high unemployment, corruption, and climate change. Amidst security concerns, the main airport in Dhaka, the capital, suspended operations.
