People agitating in dhaka-Bagladesh against Sheikh Hasina regime
In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country via helicopter after days of intense protests. The political landscape in Bangladesh is now fraught with instability and unpredictability.
The unrest began in early July following the announcement of a controversial quota policy in civil service and public sector jobs. This policy, which allocated over half of the new positions to specific interest groups, including a significant portion to descendants of the 1971 liberation war veterans, was met with fierce opposition. The timing of this policy could not have been worse, given the rising unemployment among Bangladeshi youth, with 20% of those aged 15 to 24 unemployed and not in school.
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh attempted to address the situation by reducing the quota for veterans’ descendants from 30% to 5% and emphasizing competency in assessments. However, this intervention did little to quell the student-led protests, which escalated into violent clashes. These protests culminated in a tragic peak, resulting in the deaths of 94 people, including 14 police officers, which ultimately forced Prime Minister Hasina to step down after 15 years in power.
In response to the chaos, Commander General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced a temporary military takeover to restore order and facilitate the establishment of a transitional government. His call for trust in the military’s ability to protect citizens and stabilize the country underscores the gravity of the situation.
Despite lifting the curfew, the path to stability remains fraught with challenges. Observers are skeptical about the ease of forming an interim government and transitioning to democratic elections. The military has yet to clarify its role in the interim government, while student leaders demand significant involvement in the new administration.
International concerns are mounting as well. The World Bank and other financial institutions are reassessing their support for Bangladesh, with potential policy adjustments threatening the country’s economic growth. This instability also exacerbates regional tensions, prompting India to strengthen its border security and raising alarms among global entities like the United Nations and the European Union.
As Bangladesh navigates this period of political turmoil, the future remains uncertain, with the hope that peace and stability can be restored through collaborative efforts from all factions of society.
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