On Monday, Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, became a scene of widespread chaos and jubilation as protests erupted following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Demonstrators, fueled by anti-government sentiments, set fire to several prominent locations, including the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, also known as Bangabandhu Bhaban, reported Dhaka Tribune.
Amidst the escalating unrest, Sheikh Hasina made a hasty escape to Agartala, the capital of Tripura in India. She was seen fleeing with her sister in a Bangladesh Air Force helicopter. Agartala’s proximity to Dhaka made it a convenient choice for her escape.
The streets of Dhaka were flooded with tens of thousands of jubilant protesters, celebrating Hasina’s resignation. Crowds surged towards Ganabhaban, Hasina’s official residence, breaching security measures and looting the building. Video footage from local television channels captured the scene, showing protesters taking away chicken, fish, vegetables, and even furniture from the residence.
The anger directed at Hasina was evident in the vandalism of her father and former Bangladesh President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s statue in Dhaka. The unrest also saw protesters set fire to the Awami League district office in Dhaka and the party president’s office at Dhanmondi 3/A.
The government’s response to the crisis was swift and stringent. A curfew was imposed, internet access was restricted, and offices and factories were shut down. Despite these measures, protesters defied the curfew, clashing with security forces on the streets of Dhaka.
The 76-year-old Hasina, who was the longest-serving female head of government, had faced increasing pressure to address widespread dissatisfaction with her government since early July. The protests, which had been escalating for weeks, reached a boiling point on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of nearly 100 people.
Hasina’s resignation came after a tumultuous day of unrest and marked the end of her fourth consecutive term in office. Her election victory in January was boycotted by her main opponents.
The future of Bangladesh remains uncertain, with the nation grappling with a political vacuum and a tense atmosphere. The aftermath of this tumultuous period will likely shape the country’s political landscape for years to come.