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Responding to the demands of the students and the people in general, Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, tendered her resignation and left the country for India on Monday, 5 August, 2024. According to media reports, she has landed in New Delhi, the capital of India via Agartala. With her departure ended the 14 + year rule of the Awami League, the largest political party of the country.
Her resignation came following weeks of deadly demonstrations by students and common people against her government. Students have been demanding reform of the quota in government jobs. As the government took a go-slow position, police and student wings of the ruling party tried to stop the demonstration by applying extreme force. As a result, agitation and the number of students on the roads began to increase gradually. Finally, the government agreed to offer a 93% quota for the meritorious students which previously was about 70 percent.
Meanwhile, the agitating students demanded release of numerous students, teachers and common people who were arrested by the police and taken on remand. The news of torture of students and others in remand infuriated those out on the roads and the intensity of violence increased by the hour. According to various reports, in the past two weeks over 300 people have been killed in country-wide clashes, which was unprecedented in the country. But many foreign analysts think further bloodshed has been averted by her resignation.
Following the resignation and departure of Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh Army Chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman addressed the nation assuring everyone that law and order will be restored and an interim government will be formed with some eminent members of society.
In a bid to restore peace, curfew has been lifted on Tuesday morning and all offices, courts and educational institutes have been asked to open and function normally. However, for security reasons, all flights in and out of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport remained suspended for about six hours.
The student leaders are expected to provide the outline of the interim government and also offer some names of the likely persons who will be included in the government. They will cooperate with the interim government so that the journey towards the next general election becomes smooth.
The citizens now wish for peace and tranquility in the country so that economic activities can be a priority now. Economic growth cannot happen when there is wanton disorder like prolonged war or civil war or an epidemic of the worst kind. Now is the time for rebuilding the nation.
Messenger/Fameema
