What is Happening In Bangladesh? PM Sheikh Hasina Flee to India

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned yesterday and fled the country amid escalating protests. Thousands of protestors stormed her official residence in Dhaka, breaching security and prompting her to escape the country via helicopter.

Sheikh Hasina landed at the Hindon airbase near Ghaziabad in India, where she was received by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Sources say she is en route to London. 

Current Bangladesh Situation:

Due to this, Bangladesh's army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has announced that the military will establish an interim government. The recent unrest has been severe, with over 300 killed during a month of intense protests. The protestors are celebrating their victory as their ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country.

Background of the Protests:

The protests in Bangladesh originate from the country's civil service quota system. This system, established in 1972, reserved 30% of public sector jobs for the children of those who participated in the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan.

In October 2018, student protests led to the elimination of the quota system. However, it was reinstated in June 2024, requiring 56% of government jobs to be reserved for specific groups, including the relatives of freedom fighters, women, and individuals from disadvantaged regions.

This decision caused widespread tension, with many groups advocating for a merit-based recruitment system. In addition to that, high unemployment, with around 32 million young people jobless or out of education in a population of 170 million.

Recently, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh revised the quota system, ruling that 93% of government jobs should be allocated based on merit, with only 7% reserved for the children of war veterans and other specified categories. This was a reduction from the previous 30% quota.

In this case, tensions increased between the students and Sheikh Hasina after she labeled the demonstrators as 'Razakars,' a term used for those who collaborated with the Pakistani army during the 1971 war, essentially calling them Anti-Bangladeshi.

The streets of Dhaka, once plagued by violence, have erupted into celebrations following Hasina's departure, marking a significant turning point in the country's political landscape.