Violent protests in Bangladesh forced Sheikh Hasina to resign as the country’s Prime Minister on Monday. Celebrations erupted in Dhaka as Hasina stepped down, fleeing to India and reportedly seeking asylum in the United Kingdom. Bangladesh prepared to welcome an interim government, led by the military, following the tumultuous events. India, sharing a 4,096.7 km-long border with Bangladesh, its longest with any neighboring country, heightened security measures in response.
The unrest in Bangladesh stemmed from a month-long protest against the civil service job quota system, which favored children of war veterans. The protests, according to news agency AFP, resulted in at least 300 deaths. Students took to the streets demanding a change to the system.
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh had partially revised the quota system, reducing the reservation for descendants of freedom fighters from the 1971 Bangladesh independence war from 30 percent to 5 percent. However, protesters demanded Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, ultimately leading to her stepping down as Prime Minister and fleeing to India, reportedly to Tripura’s capital, Agartala. This marked the end of her 15-year rule in the country.
Bangladesh’s Army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, confirmed Hasina’s resignation in a televised address to the nation. He announced the military would form a caretaker government and seek the president’s guidance in establishing an interim administration. Al Jazeera reported that the army and other political parties would lead Bangladesh to a free and fair election. The Army chief stated his commitment to maintaining law and order, having met with political leaders to ensure cooperation.
The protests escalated on Monday, with thousands of protestors storming the Prime Minister’s official residence, ‘Ganabhaban.’ Channel 24 broadcast images of protestors setting fire to a vehicle within the residence, looting furniture and books, and relaxing on beds. Buildings associated with Hasina’s party and family were also targeted.
Hasina, having arrived in India on Monday, is expected to remain in the country until securing political asylum in a third country. News 18 reported that she is seeking asylum in the UK. She was reportedly moved to a safe location, and her departure from India on Monday night was unlikely.
India’s response to the unfolding events in Bangladesh was immediate. Security along the border was heightened, with Meghalaya imposing a night curfew along the international border and Assam issuing a high alert to districts bordering Bangladesh. West Bengal, too, was put on high alert, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urging residents to maintain peace.
Amid the turmoil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. The meeting included Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Hasina following her arrival at an airbase near Delhi. While details of the meeting were not disclosed, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed Prime Minister Modi on the situation in Bangladesh. Jaishankar also briefed Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on the developments.
There was speculation that Hasina might meet her daughter, Saima Wazed, who is based in Delhi and works as the World Health Organisation’s regional director for South-East Asia.
In response to the unrest, Air India and IndiGo cancelled their scheduled flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect. India granted safe passage through its airspace to Hasina’s aircraft following a request from Dhaka.
The events in Bangladesh have raised concerns about regional stability and the potential for further unrest. India’s response, marked by heightened security and diplomatic engagement, underscores the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.
