The leader of Bangladesh’s military is slated to meet student protest organisers on Tuesday, amid expectations of a newly formed government. The consultation comes a day subsequent to the resignation and escape of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in the aftermath of a violent uprising against her. In Dhaka, traffic was less than its typical density and schools, which shuttered in mid-July due to escalating anti-quota protests, resumed albeit with a sparse attendance. The discord across the country has led to the death and injury of about 300 and several thousand people respectively.
The principal garment manufacturers’ association declared that on Tuesday, the city’s garment factories, which are crucial to the economy and provide clothing for top international brands, will stay closed. They plan to announce their reopening at a later date. The student leaders, instrumental in a campaign against job quotas which eventually turned into a call for the Prime Minister’s resignation, expressed their desire early Tuesday for an interim government. Their candidate for its chief advisor is the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus.
One of the primary instigators of the student movement, Nahid Islam, clearly stated on a Facebook video that they would only accept the government that they recommended and explicitly rejected any military-backed government. She also mentioned that they had consulted with Muhammad Yunus and he agreed to take on the responsibility they proposed.
84-year old Muhammad Yunus, along with his Grameen Bank, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts to alleviate poverty in rural Bangladesh by offering minute loans of less than $100 (€91). Despite this, Yunus, who currently resides in Paris, was indicted by a court in June due to embezzlement accusations, a charge he refutes.
Yunus called Monday the “second liberation day” for Bangladesh, acknowledging the country’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan and He expressed the displeasure of the Bangladeshi people against India for providing refuge to the fleeing Sheikh Hasina, despite India being their closest ally. He said, the Bangladeshi people were aggrieved by India’s support for the one who ‘destroyed our lives.’
Ms Hasina arrived at a military airbase close to Delhi from Dhaka, according to two government officials from India. The head of the Bangladesh army, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has scheduled a meeting with the individuals organising the protest for Tuesday at 12 PM local time, according to an official army statement. This meeting was planned a day post Gen Zaman’s announcement of Ms Hasina’s stepping down and the formation of a temporary government during a televised broadcast.
Once Ms Hasina had left her residence, excited crowds swarmed into the grand premises of her home unopposed, carrying away furniture and television sets that had been stolen. Images include a man stylishly carrying an ornate chair in lush, red velvet on his head and an individual sporting an array of vase-filled arms.
Gen Zaman disclosed that he had organised meetings with leaders of the key political parties, excluding Ms Hasina’s dominant Awami League, with the intention of discussing the course of future actions. He was also set to confer with the country’s President, Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Addressing the country late on Monday, Mr Shahabuddin stated that forthcoming elections would be scheduled as rapidly as possible upon consulting all parties and concerned individuals.
In a unanimous decision, Mr Shahabuddin also announced the prompt release of Begum Khaleda Zia, chairwoman of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Ms Hasina’s longstanding rival. Zia, who was convicted for a corruption case in 2018, had been hospitalised a year later due to health complications. However, she has refuted all allegations against her.
A BNP spokesperson confirmed on Monday that Ms Zia, aged 78, was currently under hospital care and in her statement, assured the public that all accusations against her would be legally addressed and resolved promptly.
Ms Hasina, aged 76, had been governing the nation since her victory over Ms Zia in a power conflict that spanned decades, back in 2009.
The Indian Express reported that post her arrival at Hindon, Ms Hasina was moved to a secure location and her next destination would likely be the United Kingdom, according to sources.