The Fall of Sheikh Hasina: A Dramatic End to an Era
After weeks of intense student protests and escalating violence that claimed hundreds of lives, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country, marking an unexpected end to her 15-year rule.
The streets of major cities in Bangladesh erupted in celebration after the news broke, with jubilant crowds waving flags and dancing. The military announced the formation of an interim government, but it remains uncertain who will lead it.
The protests, which started over a controversial quota system in government jobs, quickly turned into a nationwide uprising against Hasina’s government. The unrest, which began in June, has resulted in the loss of around 300 lives since mid-July.
As the country navigates this tumultuous period, questions remain about the transition of power and the role of the military in governance. Calls for a civilian interim government and a return to constitutional order are growing stronger.
With the future of Bangladesh hanging in the balance, the hopes of many rest on a peaceful transfer of power that addresses the underlying causes of public dissatisfaction and sets the stage for free and fair elections.
Harun Ur Rashid Swapan, DW reporter in Dhaka, contributed to this report.
Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru