Dhaka: Sheikh Hasina has quit as Bangladesh Prime Minister, and the Army is moving to take control amid violent protests demanding her exit. Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the Army would form an interim government and appealed to the protesters to return to the path of peace. “There is a crisis in the country. I have met Opposition leaders, and we have decided to form an interim government to run this country. I take all responsibility and promise to protect your life and property. Your demands will be fulfilled. Please support us and stop violence. If you work with us, we can move towards a proper solution. We cannot achieve anything through violence,” he said. The Army chief also confirmed that Ms. Hasina has stepped down.
Army Takes Over Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina Enroute London via Delhi | LIVE
Sheikh Hasina Had Once Rescued Bangladesh From Military Rule
It is important to note that Hasina had once helped rescue Bangladesh from military rule. But her time in power has seen the mass arrest of her political opponents and human rights sanctions against her security forces.
1. Historical Leadership and Political Struggle
Sheikh Hasina first served as prime minister in 1996, following a decade-long struggle after returning from exile. Her political journey began after renegade military officers murdered her father, Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with her family in a 1975 coup. Hasina took the reins of her father’s Awami League party and joined forces with Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to oust military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad in 1990.
Former B’Desh PM Sheikh Hasina Enroute London via India, Says Report
2. Economic Transformation
Under Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh has experienced remarkable economic growth, with an average annual GDP growth of over six percent since 2009. Poverty rates have dropped significantly, and more than 95 percent of the population now has access to electricity. In 2021, Bangladesh’s per capita income overtook that of India. Hasina has also been credited with transforming the country’s garment export industry, driven largely by a female workforce.
Absolute Chaos in Bangladesh, Protesters Storm PM’s residence
3. Humanitarian Efforts and Security
Hasina has received international acclaim for her humanitarian efforts, particularly for opening Bangladesh’s doors to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar in 2017. She also led a decisive crackdown on Islamist militants following a deadly attack on a Dhaka cafe in 2016, where 22 people were killed by extremists.
Bangladesh Army Chief Addresses Nation Amid Protests | Key Takeaways
4. Controversial Governance and Repression
Despite her achievements, Hasina’s tenure has been marked by accusations of human rights abuses and suppression of dissent. Critics highlight mass arrests of political opponents and the execution of top Islamist leaders and opposition figures, which were seen by some as politically motivated. In 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on an elite branch of Bangladesh’s security forces over alleged widespread human rights abuses.
Bangladesh Protesters Vandalise Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’
5. Current Unrest and Political Climate
Recently, Hasina’s government has faced significant unrest, with mass protests initially sparked by university student-led rallies against civil service job quotas. The protests have evolved into wider demonstrations demanding her resignation. Despite the unrest, Hasina won a fifth term as prime minister in January, though the election was boycotted by the opposition, which claimed it was neither free nor fair. As she faces mounting pressure and international scrutiny, Hasina remains resolute, insisting she has worked tirelessly for the nation.
With Hasina’s resignation and the military’s intervention, Bangladesh enters a new phase of uncertainty and transition. The interim government’s actions and the response of the protesters will shape the country’s immediate future.
Sheikh Hasina Had Once Rescued Bangladesh From Military Rule | 5 Points world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
