Sheikh Hasina Resigns and Flees Bangladesh

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday following a deadly crackdown on protests that demanded her removal. The demonstrations, initially sparked by opposition to job quotas, escalated into widespread unrest, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured.

Jubilant crowds stormed the opulent grounds of the presidential residence, unopposed, looting furniture and televisions. One man was seen balancing a red velvet, gilt-edged chair on his head, while another carried an armful of vases. In Dhaka, protesters climbed a statue of Hasina's father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and began chiseling away at the head with an axe.

Hasina's resignation ended her 15-year second stint in power, having ruled for 20 of the last 30 years as the leader of the political movement inherited from her father, assassinated in a 1975 coup. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, informed the BBC World Service that she left the country for her safety at her family's insistence, expressing her disappointment at the uprising.

In a televised address, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced Hasina's resignation and the formation of an interim government. Zaman, who became army chief only on June 23, promised justice for the deaths and urged the public to return to non-violent ways. He confirmed ongoing discussions with major political parties, excluding Hasina's Awami League, and planned to meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin to discuss the next steps.

Reports suggest Hasina, 76, landed at a military airfield near Delhi, where India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and senior military officers met her before moving her to a safe location. Bangladesh has faced intense violence since last month's student protests against job quotas, which favor veterans of the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. The protests quickly transformed into a movement demanding Hasina's downfall, resulting in about 250 deaths and thousands of injuries.

The country's economic situation has deteriorated, with slow growth, inflation, and unemployment plaguing the once fast-growing economy. Hasina's son defended her record, highlighting her efforts to transform Bangladesh from a failing state to one of Asia's rising tigers.

Despite winning a fourth consecutive term in January, in an election boycotted by the main opposition party, Hasina's tenure has been marred by accusations of using excessive force against protesters. On Sunday, clashes across the country resulted in nearly 100 deaths, the highest single-day toll in recent history. Monday saw at least six more fatalities in confrontations between police and protesters in Dhaka.

The government had imposed a nationwide curfew and announced a three-day general holiday starting Monday. Over the weekend, attacks targeted government buildings, Awami League offices, police stations, and public representatives' homes. Garment factories, supplying apparel to top global brands, were closed indefinitely.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson expressed deep concern over the violence, calling for the protection of the right to peaceful protest and the release of all peaceful protesters. The spokesperson urged swift action to restore democracy and ensure peace and security in Bangladesh.

As the country grapples with this revolutionary period, the path ahead remains uncertain. The interim government faces the daunting task of restoring order and addressing the deep-rooted issues that led to this unprecedented uprising.