Sheikh Hasina Resignation Highlights: All-party meeting on Bangladesh crisis in New Delhi; student protest leader urge interim govt under Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus

Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar who briefed an all-party meeting on the Bangladesh crisis took to X and said: "Appreciate the unanimous support and understanding that was extended." Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were also in attendance at the Parliament House in New Delhi.

MEA S Jaishankar is briefing all party leaders on the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi are attending the meeting in the Parliament House. This comes a day after former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and her sister landed in Delhi after she resigned from the post amid ongoing student protests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security on the issue last evening.

Bangladeshi president Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday ordered the release of former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Hasina's main rival, the ailing former who is now 78, was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2018 for alleged corruption.

Zia was elected the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 1991. She entered politics after her husband Ziaur Rahman, who served as the country’s President from 1977 to 1981, was assassinated in office. Rahman founded the BNP in 1978. She also served as the PM between 2001 and 2006.

Taslima Nasreen, a Bangladeshi author who is in exile in India, took to X to comment on the ongoing political crisi in Bangladesh which forced Sheikh Hasina to flee the country and resign.

'Hasina in order to please Islamists threw me out of my country in 1999 after I entered Bangladesh to see my mother in her deathbed and never allowed me to enter the country again. The same Islamists have been in the student movement who forced Hasina to leave the country today,' Nasreen said in the post.

Nasreenhad to leave Bangladesh in 1994 in the wake of death threats by fundamentalist outfits for her alleged anti-Islamic views.

Indian exporters are concerned because they see the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh potentially leading to disruption in the flow of goods at the India-Bangladesh border and payment delays to Indian traders.

High inflation has eroded Dhaka’s US dollar reserves, limiting the country’s ability to import critical goods such as agricultural items, iron and steel, electricity, and plastics from India.

However, there is hope among traders that the situation may not take too long to normalise.

The Army has released contact numbers of Army officers for minorities, including Hindus, to seek help in case of any attacks across Bangladesh, the Daily Sun said.

FOR DHAKA 
 
1. Capt Saikat: 017 6951 0515 (Mohammadpur) 
 
2. Capt Ridnan Saleh: +880 16 4196 8237 (Mohammadpur) 
 
3. ?Capt Ashik: +880 17 3899 8458 (Segunbagicha) 
 
4. ?Capt Abrar: +880 17 4156 9832 (Uttara) 
 
5. ?Capt Atahar Ishtiaq: +880 17 6951 1144 (Mirpur) 
 
6. ?Capt Zarraf: 01708375371 (Stadium, Polton) 
 
7. ?Capt Nasif: +880 17 6951 0803 (Baridhara) 
 
8. Lt Imrul 81: +880 17 0526 0019 (Agargaon) 
 
9. Adjt 21 Engrs Bn: 01769013094 (Gulshan/Banani) 

10. Capt Shihab: 017 6604 7323 (Motijheel, Bangladesh Bank KPI) 

The indefinite curfew in effect across Bangladesh from Monday midnight ended at 6 am on Tuesday, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate as per the Dhaka Tribune.

The Bangladesh new portal also reported that police firings, mob beatings, and arson across the country killed at least 135 people before and after Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister on Monday.

In a video posted on social media early Tuesday morning, Nahid Islam, one of the key coordinators of the movement was seen speaking.

He said that Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has agreed to take on this crucial responsibility at the call of the student community to save the country, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

"We took 24 hours to announce a framework for the interim government. However, considering the emergency situation, we are announcing it now. We have decided that the interim government would be formed in which internationally renowned Nobel Laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus, who has wide acceptability, would be the chief adviser," Nahid said with two other coordinators in the video.

Nahid urged the president to take steps as soon as possible to form an interim government headed by Dr Yunus. He said the names of the other members of the interim government would be announced soon.

"As there is anarchy in the country, and insecurity over people's lives, we are urging the president to take immediate and effective steps to restore law and order in the country, and that freedom-seeking students will also be on the streets to assist law enforcement forces. No government other than the one proposed by the students will be accepted. As we have said, no military government, or one backed by the military, or a government of fascists, will be accepted," Nahid said.

1. Can India stand by its friends? 

2. An immediate challenge for Delhi lies in distancing itself from Hasina and engaging her opponents.

3.  Delhi must expect that Pakistan and China would try to exploit the current churn in Dhaka and nudge the new government away from India in the days ahead

4. Delhi must stop romanticising the 1971 liberation of Bangladesh. That Bangladesh is deeply divided on interpreting its history is a reality that Delhi can’t ignore. 

5. Indian foreign policy discourse must recognise that developments in the neighbourhood are not just about Indian resolve, good will or strategy. India’s neighbours have politics of their own; these can’t be determined by Delhi.

The end of former Bangladesh PM Shiekh Hasina's 15-year reign is a stark reminder that economic progress alone cannot sustain a leader’s popularity in the face of eroding democratic values and civil liberties.

Despite noteworthy economic achievements, there was deep-seated discontent with Hasina’s increasingly authoritarian rule and the unchecked corruption, nepotism, and high-handedness.

Economic achievements:

Bangladesh transformed from one of the world’s poorest nations into one of the fastest-growing economies in the region. It even outpaced India.

The country’s per capita income tripled in a decade, and the World Bank estimates that over 25 million people were lifted out of poverty in the last 20 years.

The Bangladesh army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman plans to meet the protest coordinators at 12 pm local time on Tuesday, the army separately said in a statement as per news agency Reuters.

After Sheikh Hasina resigned as the prime minister of Bangladesh and fled the country on Monday, General Waker-Uz-Zaman stepped forward to announce the formation of an interim government.

He addressed the nation on Monday afternoon and declared, “I’m taking all responsibility (of the country). Please cooperate.”

News agency Reuters has reported that in a Facebook video released early this morning, Bangladesh student protest coordinators are calling for the formation of a new interim government with Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus as its chief adviser.

Prior to Sheikh Hasina's resignation, Yunus, speaking to The Indian Express, had said: "Today, the government feels that they are all powerful because they are all powerful. They control, I shouldn’t say ‘they’, I should say ‘she’, because there is no ‘they’ here in Bangladesh. It is one country, one party, one leader, one narrative country. You cannot deviate from any one of these formulations. The moment you deviate from that, you’re in serious trouble. I’m in trouble forever, since the Hasina government is in power."

Anti-government protesters celebrate outside the Bangladesh Parliament after getting the news of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo)

The son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the eldest grandson of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sajeeb Wazed Joy has come under the spotlight after her mother resigned and fled the country.

In a BBC interview, Joy said that Hasina doesn’t intend to make a political comeback and defended her mother’s tenure as prime minister for the longest term wherein her role remains pivotal in transforming Bangladesh from a failing state to a rising economic power.

Joy, in a Facebook post, urged the security forces of the country to uphold the constitution. He said, “Your duty is to keep our people safe and our country safe and to uphold the constitution. It means don’t allow any unelected government to come in power for one minute, it is your duty.”

Sajeeb Wazed Joy has been responsible for a digital revolution in Bangladesh when he spearheaded the “Digital Bangladesh” initiative.

Read more about Sajeeb Wazed Joy here

The World Bank, which has approved loans for several Bangladesh’s projects, said on Monday that it was assessing the impact of the political crisis in the country on its loan program.

The political instability rose in Bangladesh after Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister and fled the country as violent protest against job quota system shifted gears to oust her from power.

The World Bank spokesperson said, “We mourn the violence and tragic loss of life that has taken place in recent weeks in Bangladesh and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution. We are assessing the impact of the unfolding situation on the World Bank Group program and remain committed to supporting the development aspirations of the people of Bangladesh,” as reported by Reuters.

According to the World Bank’s website, it had $2.85 billion commitments in the financial year 2024 which ended on June 30.

After the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, demonstrators ransacked the residence of the Awami League leader and stole several items.

Hasina’s official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka was stormed by protesters as she fled the country to India and landed at Hindon Air Base near New Delhi.

Videos and images quickly spread online showing the protesters carrying away items from Ganabhaban her official residence, including furniture and food.

Some protesters were seen eating biryani and taking away animals such as fish, goats, hens and ducks from the residence.

Read more about the report here

Amid the raging violent protest in Bangladesh which has led to political instability, the UK  Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called for a United Nations led independent investigation into the events which unfolded in Bangladesh recently.

Expressing his concern over the development, Lammy said, “The people of Bangladesh deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks.”

Lammy described the situation as more unprecedented and highlighted the gravity of the violent situation.

Lammy added “The last two weeks in Bangladesh have seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life. A transitional period has been announced by the Chief of the Army Staff.”

Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, who was the Prime Minister of the country until yesterday, fled the nation as demonstrators ravaged her residence in Dhaka. According to multiple reports, she has sought asylum in the UK.

(with inputs from ANI)

In a post on X, the West Bengal police has urged the netizens to avoid sharing any posts or videos related to the situation in Bangladesh where Sheikh Hasina has resigned from the post of PM and fled the country amid continued violent protests.

The West Bengal Police in an X post said, “Given the current situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, we have noticed a few posts and videos on social media that may create discord and unrest. Please do not pay attention to rumours, do not share provocative videos, do not step into a fake news trap.”

Earlier in the day, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose also quelled the rumours regarding the border of Bangladesh and West Bengal and said that “Our Borders are secure. There is no need for panic. Beware of rumour mongers.”

The political instability in Bangladesh arose after the exit of Sheikh Hasina, and the military taking over the command of the country.

In the renewed violent uprising, over 300 peoples have lost their lives, including security personnel, and the Awami League government has fallen while the parliament was aldo dissolved.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has said that an interim government will be formed in the country after the current parliament is dissolved.

President Shahabuddin also ordered the release of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been under house arrest after being convicted in several cases.

In a statement, the President said “A decision has been taken to form an interim government as soon as possible by dissolving parliament. The army will also take measures to normalise the prevailing anarchic situation.”

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Khaleda Zia has become the centre of politics as former PM and Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina fled the country due to raging protests.

The demonstrators demanded resignation of Hasina and ouster of Awami League from power. The protesters even ransacked the residence of Hasina.

Bangladesh military has announced that the curfew will be in place till 6am on Tuesday.

(with PTI inputs)

The Bangladesh’s military has announced that the curfew in the country will be lifted by Tuesday morning and the schools, colleges, factories, and offices will start functioning.

According to the news agency AFP, the military said, “Offices, factories, schools, colleges... will be open from 6:00 am Tuesday (0000 GMT).”

Following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the military took over the command of the country while Hasina fled Bangladesh. 

Demonstrators who demanded Sheikh Hasina’s resignation ransacked her residence as well. In the fresh round of violent protest, over 300 people have been killed.

The US President Joe Biden led administration has made its first remarks on the development in Bangladesh’s political crisis and said that they are closely monitoring the situation.

The White House has urged the administration that the interim government formation should be democratic and inclusive.

A National Security Council spokesperson said, “We encourage all parties to refrain from further violence and restore peace as quickly as possible,” as reported by Reuters.

The job quota protest in Bangladesh swelled which led to the killings of over 300 people and the demonstrators demanded resignation of Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina.

She eventually fled the country and protesters ransacked her residence. Military took over the command of the country.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has ordered the release of jailed former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been the key opposition leader.

This development comes after her arch rival Awami League’s Sheikh Hasina was ousted from the administration and fled the country, and the military took over the command of the country.

A press release from the Bangladesh President’s team stated that in a meeting which was led by President Shahabuddin, it was “decided unanimously to free Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia immediately”.

(with inputs from AFP)

The Indo-Bangladesh border region in West Bengal has been put on high alert on Monday following the ongoing unrest in the neighbouring country, officials said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to the people of West Bengal to maintain peace and avoid provocation.

The ongoing turmoil has also "halted" trade between the two neighbouring nations.

Air India and IndiGo cancelled scheduled flights to Dhaka, while bus and train services between West Bengal and Bangladesh were also affected.

According to BSF sources, a "high alert" has been issued across all its formations along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border in the wake of developments in the neighbouring country.

"A high alert has been issued and we are keeping a close tab on the movement in the bordering areas so that no untoward incident takes place," a BSF official said.

BSF Director General (Acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary and other senior commanders toured several bordering areas in West Bengal to review the security situation.

Chawdhary toured North 24 Parganas district and the Sundarbans riverine area to review preparations, a spokesperson for the South Bengal Frontier of the force headquartered in Kolkata said.

West Bengal shares a total of 2,217 kilometres of its border with Bangladesh.

According to state government officials, the police have also been instructed to keep a close tab on the movement in the bordering areas.

"Steps need to be taken to stop any form of provocation here using incidents in Bangladesh," an official said.

The chief minister said, "I would appeal to all citizens of West Bengal to maintain peace and avoid all forms of provocation." Declining to comment on developments in Bangladesh, Banerjee told reporters that it is a matter for the Ministry of External Affairs to respond. (PTI)

Following turmoil in Bangladesh, the Assam government on Monday issued "high alert" to all its districts sharing border with the neighbouring country, a senior official said.

Assam's Karimganj, Cachar, Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar districts share 267.5 km of international border with Bangladesh.

"We have alerted all the border districts to be on high alert. We have asked the District Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to personally monitor the border situation," the official told PTI.

The state government is keeping a close watch on the evolving situation following violent unrest and subsequent resignation of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The official said that the Assam government is monitoring the Integrated Check Posts at Sutarkandi in Assam, Dawki in Meghalaya and Akhaura in Tripura along with its counterparts in those states.

The Border Security Force (BSF) has issued a "high alert" across all its formations along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border in the wake of the developments in the neighbouring country.

Earlier during the day, Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister of Bangladesh and left the country, several news reports said, amid massive protests against her government that claimed more than 106 lives in the last two days.

Her military aircraft landed at the Hindon Air Force base near Delhi late evening. (PTI)

Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Monday said the state government has decided to impose a curfew along the international border with Bangladesh, amid the unrest in the neighbouring country.

The curfew along over 444 km of the boundary stretch will be applicable from 6 pm to 6 am daily until further notice, he said.

The decision was taken during an urgent meeting with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and the Meghalaya Police.

"In view of the volatile situation, the state government has decided to impose night curfew along the international border with Bangladesh," Tynsong said.

The BSF has issued a "high alert" across all its formations along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border in the wake of the developments in the neighbouring country, officials said. (PTI)

All train services between India and Bangladesh have been suspended indefinitely, Railway officials said on Monday following unrest in the neighbouring country.

According to the Railway Ministry, Maitri Express, Bandhan Express and Mitali Express operated their last trips in mid-July this year and have been cancelled since then due to violent protests in Bangladesh.

Both Maitri Express and Bandhan Express were initially cancelled from July 19, 2024, to August 6, 2024, they said.

However, due to the prevailing situation in Bangladesh, the cancellation has been extended indefinitely, the officials said.

The service of Mitali Express also stands suspended indefinitely, according to the Indian Railways.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday resigned and left the country while Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced an interim government was taking over in dramatic developments amid massive violent protests there.

“Mitali Express, which runs between New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka, went to Dhaka on July 17, 2024, but it didn't return after that,” the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Katihar told PTI.

He added, “The train has 10 coaches owned by Indian Railways but since these coaches were used in that particular train only, there is no inconvenience of any sort to us. The train's loco used to be changed at the border. So when it enters Bangladesh, they attach their own engine to the train replacing ours” Maitri runs between Dhaka and Kolkata while the bi-weekly Bandhan Express operates between Khulna and Kolkata. (PTI)

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Parliament House on Monday and discussed the development in Bangladesh, Congress sources said.

Sheikh Hasina has resigned as Bangladesh prime minister and an interim government is taking over, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced in Dhaka on Monday, in a dramatic development amid massive anti-government protests that claimed more than 100 lives in the last two days.

Hasina landed at the Hindon airbase near Ghaziabad on her way to London, diplomatic sources said.

"Gandhi met Jaishankar on the sidelines in the Lok Sabha, Parliament House complex, and discussed the recent developments in Bangladesh," a Congress source said. (PTI)

Border Security Force (BSF) DG (acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary reached Kolkata along with other senior officials to review security along the India-Bangladesh border on Monday, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying.

The army controlled politics in Bangladesh directly or indirectly for 15 years after the father of the nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated. The interference of the generals didn't stop until Sheikh Hasina, Mujib's daughter, rose to power in 2008.

We take a look

In light of the widespread violence and protests in neighbouring Bangladesh, Air India announced that it is cancelling all flight operations to and from Dhaka.

In a post on social media platform X, Air India said, "In view of the emerging situation in Bangladesh, we have cancelled the scheduled operation of our flights to and from Dhaka with immediate effect. We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Dhaka with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges. Safety of our guests and crew remains our foremost priority."

The post added, "For more information, please call our 24/7 Contact Centre at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999."

Earlier today, Bangladesh's long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post and fled the country with her sister Sheikh Rehana. She landed at the Hindon Air Force Base in Ghaziabad around 6 pm. 

Bangladesh telecoms operator Grameenphone has reinstated 3G and 4G networks, allowing people to access mobile internet services across the country, Norway's Telenor told Reuters on Monday.

Grameenphone had appealed to the government for the immediate and full restoration of mobile internet services, Telenor said in an emailed statement.

Voice and SMS connectivity had been maintained throughout the recent political turmoil even as mobile internet services were disconnected, the company added. (Reuters)

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled from her Dhaka residence earlier today, landed at the Hindon Indian Air Force base in Ghaziabad, near Delhi, around 6 pm today.

Following Sheikh Hasina's resignation as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and her fleeing the country with her sister Sheikh Rehana on Monday, the international airport in capital Dhaka will be shut for six hours, the Army said. 

Following Sheikh Hasina's resignation as the Bangladesh Prime Minister and her flight from the country, party offices of her Awami League were set on fire in Dhaka, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

The newspaper also reported that the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city was also set ablaze. 

According to news reports, some of the names likely to feature in the interim government of Bangladesh include:

• Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Former Governor, Bangladesh Bank
• Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Former DG, BGB
• Dr Manjur Ahmed Chowdhury, Former Chairman, National River Conservation Commission
• Touhid Hossain, Former Foreign Secretary, GOB
• Nurul Huda, Former Inspector General of Police

Movement of goods through the Petrapole land port on the India-Bangladesh border has stopped on Monday, and the train service between Kolkata and Dhaka remained suspended, as the latest spurt of violence in Bangladesh claimed at least 300 lives and forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country.

There are 250-300 Indian trucks stuck on the Bangladesh side, said Kartik Chakraborty, secretary, Clearing Agents Staff Welfare Association of Petrapole – the land port on the Indian side of the border with Bangladesh.

“At 3.30 pm today, all movement of trucks and goods – import and export – stopped. The situation is volatile in Bangladesh. There is fear and panic here too. There are about 250-300 Indian trucks at Benapole (the Bangladesh side of the land port). They are yet to unload the goods,” he said.

Read more here

Outgoing Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been a good friend to India, and New Delhi will be fearing a return to Islamist radicalism in its eastern neighbourhood.

We take a look at the six preliminary takeaways from her resignation here

In light of the recent developments in neighbouring country Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged everyone to maintain "peace" and avoid provocation. 

With the possibility of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina landing in India, security has been beefed up at the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi's Chanakyapuri, news agency PTI reported

India has suspended all train services with Bangladesh, in light of the recent developments in the country, an Indian Railways spokesperson told news agency Reuters.

Bangladesh Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman on Monday announced the resignation of Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of the country had taken over the job just over a month ago on June 23, for a period of 3 years. 

According to Reuters, Zaman was born in 1966 in Dhaka, and is married to Sarahnaz Kamalika Zaman, the daughter of General Muhammad Mustafizur Rahman, who was army chief from 1997 to 2000.

Zaman holds a Masters degree in Defence Studies from the National University of Bangladesh and a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King's College, London, according to the Bangladesh Army website.

Before he took over as the Army chief, Zaman had served as the Chief of General Staff for little over six months - a role in which he oversaw, among other things, military operations and intelligence, Bangladesh's role in UN peacekeeping operations, and budget.

During his career, Zaman has worked closely with Sheikh Hasina, serving as the principal staff officer at the Armed Forces Division under the Prime Minister's Office.

Zaman has also been associated with the modernization of the army, the army website said.

(With Reuters inputs)

Sheikh Hasina, the outgoing Prime Minister of Bangladesh, stands as one of the most influential and controversial figures in the country's political landscape. Her career, which spans several decades, reflects both remarkable achievements and significant controversies, making her a pivotal figure in understanding modern Bangladesh.

Born in 1947, Sheikh Hasina's life and career have been intricately linked with Bangladesh's own emergence as an independent nation. Her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, played a crucial role in leading the country to independence from Pakistan in 1971. The impact of the liberation war, which she experienced firsthand, significantly shaped her political ideology. Following her father’s assassination in 1975, Hasina lived in exile for several years, returning to Bangladesh in the late 1980s to re-enter the tumultuous world of Bangladeshi politics.

Hasina's political journey has been closely associated with her dedication to her father's legacy and the Awami League, the party he founded. She became the party president in 1981 and began leading the opposition. Her persistence paid off in 1996 when she became Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister. Her initial term in office was marked by significant progress, including economic liberalization, increased foreign investment, and a notable rise in living standards. Under her leadership, Bangladesh became a major player in the global garment industry, and her focus on education and healthcare was highlighted by initiatives such as providing free textbooks to schoolchildren.

Despite these achievements, Hasina's tenure has not been without controversy. Her administration has faced criticism for its strained relationship with the judiciary, leading to allegations of politicization and erosion of judicial independence. Her government's approach to political dissent, especially towards the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations. Additionally, the 2006-2008 political crisis, characterized by violent street protests and a military-backed interim government, cast a long shadow over her leadership.

In 2009, Hasina returned to power with a landslide victory, marking the beginning of a new phase in her political career. Since then, she has secured two more terms in office. However, these victories have been marred by allegations of electoral fraud and intimidation. Critics argue that her tenure has seen a decline in democratic freedoms and a shrinking space for political dissent. Supporters, on the other hand, point to her continued focus on economic development and large-scale infrastructure projects as evidence of her commitment to the nation’s progress.

As Sheikh Hasina approaches the latter part of her political career, her legacy remains a topic of intense debate. Supporters view her as a visionary leader who has played a crucial role in transforming Bangladesh from a war-torn nation into a thriving economy. Critics, however, see her as an autocratic ruler who has compromised democratic principles and curtailed political freedoms.

In a televised address to the nation, Bangladesh Army chief Waker-uz-Zaman requested students to "keep calm and go home".

For the last few weeks, students have been protesting over job quota reforms in the country. More than 300 have lost their lives in the ensuing violence.

In a televised address to the nation, Bangladesh Army chief Waker-uz-Zaman said the Army would investigate all the killings that have taken place in the country in the last few weeks

In a televised address to the nation, Army chief Waker-uz-Zaman said the military will form the interim government. He also called on the protesters to call off their agitations, saying that he takes "full responsibility" for the widespread violence in the country. 

The Border Security Force has issued a high-alert order to all units along 4,096 km of India-Bangladesh border, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying.

In Dhaka, protesters could be seen defacing a statue of Bangladesh founder and Sheikh Hasina's father Mujib-ur-Rahman, according to local news channels. 

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned following weeks of protests over job quota reforms, Bangladesh High Commission officials told Reuters in Delhi.

According to Daily Star, Hasina left Dhaka on Monday for a “safer place”. According to Reuters, she will be landing in India today. News agency AFP reported that she and her sister have left Gono Bhaban, her official residence.

Thousands of protesters entered Gono Bhaban in Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina's official residence on Monday.

According to news reports, the protesters entered the residence around 3 pm

Thousands of protesters have entered Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's official residence, Prathom Alo reports.

Reuters is reporting that Sheikh Hasina has left for India in a helicopter.

Bangladesh Law Minister Anisul Haq says, "situation is volatile, I don't know what's happening myself."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister have been taken to a 'safe shelter' away from the official residence, says Reuters, citing a source.

PM Sheikh Hasina's resignation is a possibility, AFP is reporting, citing a senior aide.

The army chief is holding talks with stakeholders on the current situation in the country, reports Reuters.

Reuters TV shows protesters marching in some places, as armoured personnel carriers and troops patrol the streets of the capital. There seems to be little civilian traffic, barring a few motorcycles and three-wheel taxis.Police hurled sound grenades in some parts of the city to disperse small groups of protesters, Prothom Alo reported.

Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo is reporting that mobile internet will be restored in Bangladesh at 2 pm. 

Internet access in Bangladesh has been widely restricted today, service providers and monitors say, reports AFP. Internet outage monitor NetBlocks reported 'high impact to mobile networks', while an internet gateway company that sells wholesale bandwidth to service providers said 'broadband and mobile internet were shut down'.