The Bangladesh Army has reportedly demanded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation, giving her a mere 45 minutes to step down, sources disclosed to News Arena India.
This ultimatum follows a weekend of intense violence and unrest, marking one of the deadliest periods in Bangladesh’s recent history.
On Sunday, at least 98 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured as police clashed with tens of thousands of protestors.
The violence erupted as security forces deployed tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds demanding Hasina’s resignation. This bloodshed eclipses the 67 fatalities recorded during the July 19 student protests against the quota system for government jobs.
The unrest began late last month but escalated significantly when student activists from Dhaka University, the largest in the nation, engaged in violent confrontations with police and pro-government counter-protestors.
The roots of these protests lie in a contentious quota system that reserves up to 30 percent of government jobs for families of veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.
Protestors argue that this system is discriminatory, favouring supporters of Prime Minister Hasina's Awami League party, and are calling for a merit-based replacement.
Established in 1972, briefly abolished in 2018, and then reinstated, the quota system has been a source of persistent contention. Critics claim it unfairly benefits Awami League supporters and limits opportunities for other qualified candidates.
Prime Minister Hasina’s public remarks have further inflamed the situation, transforming the protests from a single-issue movement into a broader anti-government uprising. The demonstrations now attract a diverse array of participants, including film stars, musicians, and garment manufacturers. Rap songs and social media campaigns have amplified the demands for Hasina’s resignation.
Having ruled since 2009, securing a fourth consecutive term in January through elections boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Hasina faces accusations of entrenching power through state institutions and suppressing dissent.
The recent violence underscores the growing dissatisfaction and demands for change among the Bangladeshi populace.
As the nation grapples with this crisis, the government's response and the Army’s ultimatum will be crucial in shaping Bangladesh's political future. The international community watches closely as tensions continue to rise.
The Bangladesh Police's use of tear gas and rubber bullets against protestors has drawn widespread condemnation. Photos circulating show police aggressively confronting demonstrators, further fueling public outrage.
The ongoing turmoil presents Prime Minister Hasina with the most significant challenge of her political career. With a history of leveraging state mechanisms to maintain control, her administration now confronts unprecedented pressure from both domestic and international spheres.
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