DHAKA: Bangladesh’s President on Tuesday dissolved parliament to make way for the formation of an interim administration. A press statement said, “Based on the decision from a meeting of President Shahabuddin with the chiefs of the three armed forces, leaders of political parties, representatives of civil society and leaders of the Students Against Discrimination movement, the national parliament has been dissolved”. The statement added BNP leader Khaleda Zia has also been released from the jail. The statement maintained that the process of releasing those arrested in the student movement and various cases from July 1 to August 5 has started, with many already being freed.
Earlier, Bangladesh student protest leaders have released a video on social media saying they would not accept military government, calling for the formation of a new interim administration with Nobel Peace Muhammad Yunus as its chief adviser.
Bangladesh student protesters have said they would push for Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead an interim government in the country, a day following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid was ousted and the military took charge.
In a video message, Nahid Islam, the main leader of Students Against Discrimination (SAD) said that they have decided that the interim government would be set up in which internationally renowned Nobel Laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus would be the chief adviser.
What Happened in Bangladesh?
The development takes place as Bangladesh’s Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman said on Monday he would form an interim government after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down and fled Dhaka in the face of mass protests demanding her resignation.
In his address broadcasted on state television, the Army Chief confirmed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned after weeks of political unrest in the country. He said that an interim government would be formed and committed to addressing the nation’s pressing issues.
The army chief vowed to tackle the violence and address the economic and social turmoil that has affected Bangladesh. He expressed a resolve to address “all the injustices”.
“I give you my word that all the injustices will be addressed,” the career infantry officer said, although it was not immediately clear if he would head the new government.
The recent unrest began as student protests against government hiring policies but escalated into broader demands for Hasina’s resignation. The violence claimed at least 300 lives and prompted the army’s intervention on the streets.
Aide says the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled the capital, Dhaka, by helicopter. Indian media reported that Sheikh Hasina flew to a military air base near New Delhi. Thousands of people especially students take to the streets and roads to celebrate, while many people; storm the prime minister’s official residence. Protest demonstrations that started last month over governmental job quotas expanded into nationwide political unrest. Students have been marching on roads of Dhaka to demand justice for around 300 people killed since last month.
Khaleda Zia Released
Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday evening ordered the release of jailed former Prime Minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, hours after the military took control of the government following her political rival, Sheikh Hasina was ousted.
In a statement released by the president’s press team, it was announced that a high-level meeting chaired by President Shahabuddin had unanimously decided to free Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
West Urges Bangladesh Calm After Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster
Western countries called Monday for calm in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina fled, with Washington welcoming the military for forming an interim government rather than cracking down further on protest demonstrators.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for a “peaceful, democratic and orderly transition” as well as a “full, impartial, independent, and transparent into into all acts of violence,” his spokesperson Farhan Haq stated.
London called for the UN to take the lead in a probe. In a statement, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the people of Bangladesh have deserved an independent UN-led probe into the events of the last few weeks.
