Thousands of protesters from Bangladesh defied the curfew and stormed the Prime Minister’s palace in Dhaka, following the reports that PM Sheikh Hasina had resigned and fled the nation. The streets in Dhaka were full of jubilant crowds, but tensions increased when hundreds of people broke through the gates of Sheikh Hasina’s official residence. Amid the chaos, the crowd also vandalized the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the former President of Bangladesh and father of Sheikh Hasina.  

Sheikh Mujibur  

Hailed as Bangladesh’s ‘Father of the Nation,’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the foremost leader of the country’s war of liberation against Pakistan, which resulted in a campaign of genocide that lasted until 1971.  

With India’s assistance, pro-independence forces were able to free the nation from Pakistani rule.  

Bangladesh Unrest 

The protest initially began peacefully with students’ demands to abolish the government’s job quota system. But it escalated into a major rebellion against Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party. More than 11,000 people were taken into custody and a shoot-on-sight curfew was implemented. This also resulted in the shutdown of universities, schools and internet services. 

Nearly 300 people have died as reported by the local media, worsening the unrest.  

Present Political Scenario  

Sheikh Hasina’s escape to India on a military aircraft has left Bangladesh waiting for a new government. Though reports suggested that she might seek asylum in the UK, her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy has denied.  

Meanwhile in Dhaka, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have proposed an interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. President Mohammed Shahabuddin has approved the establishment of this provisional administration. The key student leader Nahid Islam stated that the framework will be ready in the next 24 hours.  

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