Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee the country amid violent protests this week. In a surprising turn of events, Hasina accused the US of being behind her removal from power, claiming that she could have stayed in office if she agreed to host a US military base in Bangladesh. She referenced the US’s alleged attempts to take control of Saint Martin Island, a coral reef island in the Bay of Bengal. Despite pressure, Hasina refused to compromise her country’s sovereignty by allowing the US to build an air base on the island.
Following her resignation, the 76-year-old politician sought refuge in neighboring India, vowing to return to Bangladesh soon. The protests that led to Hasina’s ouster were initially peaceful but escalated quickly, resulting in numerous casualties and arrests. In response to the political turmoil, the chief of army staff announced the formation of an interim government, with Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus sworn in as its head. The situation in Bangladesh remains tense, with neighboring India monitoring the safety of Hindus amidst ongoing unrest.
India to monitor safety of Hindus in Bangladesh amid ongoing unrest