The streets of Bangladesh on August 5 were engulfed in chaos as protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina intensified, ultimately leading to her resignation and departure from the country.
The unrest, initially sparked by opposition to a government job quota system, has led to at least 300 deaths, including 14 police officers, and numerous injuries across the country. The violence has spread to multiple regions, including Dhaka, Bogura, Pabna, Rangpur, Magura, Comilla, Barisal, and Feni.
The demonstrations began with students calling for an end to a quota system that reserved 30 percent of government jobs for families of war veterans. The movement quickly grew into a broader anti-government protest, attracting diverse groups of people frustrated with high unemployment rates and economic disparities. According to the Independent, around 18 million young Bangladeshis are currently unemployed, exacerbating public discontent.
Authorities responded with severe measures. The government imposed a shoot-on-sight curfew and a nationwide internet shutdown, aiming to curb the spread of information and prevent further mobilization. Despite these efforts, protesters continued to gather, demanding justice and accountability. Amnesty International documented instances of excessive force, including the use of lethal firearms against unarmed demonstrators.
In Dhaka, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, leading to violent clashes. A student activist who witnessed the violence, told Al Jazeera, “I am on the street right now, and I can see so many people here. This is not just a student protest or a ‘quota protest’”
The unrest has also drawn international attention. Amnesty International and the United Nations urged the Bangladeshi government to protect peaceful protesters and hold those responsible for violence accountable. The United States and other countries echoed these calls, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution.
Prime Minister Hasina’s government accused opposition parties, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), of inciting violence. In response, the government arrested thousands of people, including several leaders of the protest movement. “The government is continuing to show complete and utter insensitivity to our movement,” said Abdul Kader, a coordinator of Students Against Discrimination.
The Supreme Court attempted to address the protesters’ demands by scaling back the job quota system to five percent, with most positions now allocated based on merit. However, this move did not appease the demonstrators, who were calling for a complete abolition of the quotas and a public apology from Hasina for the violence.
In a dramatic turn of events, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on August 5, 2024, flying to India and hoping to find asylum in the UK, following intense pressure and the escalation of violence. She is currently in India, planning her next move. She faces uncertainty as the British government has suggested she may not get the anticipated legal protection she seeks in the UK.
The army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced the formation of an interim government and called for calm, promising to restore order and ensure justice for those affected by the crackdown.
The situation remains volatile, with new protests scheduled and an ongoing curfew. As the government struggles to maintain control, the future of Bangladesh’s political landscape hangs in the balance. The international community continues to watch closely, urging restraint and dialogue to prevent further loss of life.