Unrest intensifies in Bangladesh as students surround Presidential palace
- In Reports
- 11:18 AM, Oct 23, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a significant escalation of ongoing political unrest, protesters in Bangladesh have gathered outside the Banga Bhaban, the presidential palace, demanding the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The protests, led by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, reflect mounting dissatisfaction with the country's political leadership and the aftermath of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation in August.
Earlier on Tuesday, the student group held a rally at the central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, where they announced a list of five demands, with one of their primary goals being the resignation of President Shahabuddin. The rally attracted a large crowd of students and citizens frustrated with the current government. Later that night, the protesters marched towards Banga Bhaban, the official residence of the president, but were met with a heavy military presence. The army had set up barricades around the palace to prevent the crowd from advancing further. Despite this, the protesters remained outside the barricades, chanting slogans and calling for the president to step down.
One protester was quoted as saying, "The President is a crony of Hasina's authoritarian government. He must resign immediately." This sentiment reflects the broader dissatisfaction with the leadership of President Shahabuddin, who is seen by many as a loyal supporter of Sheikh Hasina's government. Shahabuddin, commonly known as Chuppu, is the 16th President of Bangladesh. A jurist, civil servant, and politician, he was elected unopposed in the 2023 presidential election, having been nominated by the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina's party.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which has been leading the protests, has called for sweeping changes in the country's political and legal landscape. One of their key demands is the abolition of the Constitution of 1972, which they argue is outdated and no longer reflects the current political realities of Bangladesh. They are pushing for the drafting of a new constitution that addresses the current issues. This demand highlights the growing sentiment among many in the country, particularly the youth, that the current political system is failing to meet their needs and aspirations.
In addition to calling for the president's resignation and the drafting of a new constitution, the protesters are also demanding a ban on the Awami League's student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League. The Chhatra League has long been associated with the ruling party and has faced allegations of corruption and political violence. The student movement sees the Chhatra League as a symbol of the entrenched political establishment that they are fighting against.
Another critical demand of the protesters is for the elections held in 2014, 2018, and 2024 under Sheikh Hasina's government to be declared illegal. The student group has accused Hasina's government of manipulating these elections to maintain its grip on power. They are calling for the disqualification of the Members of Parliament who were elected in these controversial elections. In their view, the results of these elections do not reflect the will of the people and have undermined the democratic process in Bangladesh.
The protesters have also called for the announcement of a new Proclamation of the Republic, inspired by the spirit of the July-August uprising. This uprising, which saw a surge in student activism, was a turning point in the movement against the government and laid the foundation for the current wave of protests. The protesters believe that a new proclamation is needed to restore the democratic ideals that they feel have been eroded under the current regime.
The current wave of protests can be traced back to July when students initially took to the streets to demand an end to the quota system for government jobs. This system, which reserves a certain percentage of government positions for specific groups, has been criticised for being unfair and discriminatory. However, what began as a protest against the quota system quickly evolved into a broader movement against the government, as more and more people joined the demonstrations to voice their grievances about the state of the country.
As the protests grew in size and intensity, the pressure on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina increased. On August 5, she resigned from her position, fleeing to India in the face of mounting unrest. Hasina, who had been in power for over a decade, had faced growing criticism for her authoritarian style of governance, allegations of election rigging, and human rights abuses. Her resignation marked a significant moment in Bangladesh's political history, as it was the result of sustained pressure from grassroots movements, particularly from the country's youth.
Following Hasina's resignation, an interim government was established under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Yunus, an economist known for his work in microfinance, was sworn in as the head of the interim government on August 8. His appointment was seen as a move to restore stability and credibility to the country's political system, but the protests have not subsided. Instead, the focus has shifted from the prime minister to the president, with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement now demanding President Shahabuddin's resignation.
The current protests are part of a larger pattern of political unrest that has been unfolding in Bangladesh for several years. Dissatisfaction with the government, allegations of corruption, and concerns about the fairness of elections have fuelled a growing sense of frustration among the country's citizens, particularly its youth. While the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and the formation of an interim government were seen as victories for the protest movement, the continued calls for President Shahabuddin's resignation suggest that the unrest is far from over.
As the protesters remain outside the Banga Bhaban, chanting and demanding change, the situation in Bangladesh remains tense. The coming days will likely be critical in determining the future of the country's political landscape, as the protesters show no signs of backing down from their demands for sweeping reforms and accountability from their leaders.
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