Bangladesh Protest Update: President Dissolves Parliament, Announces New Elections; Interim Government in Formation

Bangladesh Protest Update: On Tuesday, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved Parliament, setting the stage for new elections. An interim government is forming following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sudden resignation and departure from the country, which came amid weeks of intense anti-government protests.

As the army assumed control on Monday and the death toll from the violence, which included attacks on temples, reached 440, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced that 84-year-old Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus has agreed to lead the interim government. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 76, is currently in India.

The violence in Bangladesh saw Hindu temples, homes, and businesses vandalized, women assaulted, and at least two Hindu leaders connected to Hasina’s Awami League party killed, according to community leaders in Dhaka.

President Shahabuddin met with key coordinators of the student movement at the Bangabhaban (presidential palace) to discuss the current situation and the formation of the interim government, media reports indicated.

A group of 13 members from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement met with the President and the three armed forces chiefs at Bangabhaban to discuss the current situation and the formation of the interim government, Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported, citing one of the movement’s coordinators.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at Hindon Airbase near Delhi on Monday aboard a Bangladeshi military aircraft. Sources in New Delhi indicated that she is expected to remain in India for a few days, having been relocated to an undisclosed, highly secured location.

With military and police patrolling the streets, Dhaka experienced a largely calm day after unrest and tension the previous night. Public transport, including buses and rickshaws, resumed operations, and shops opened for business. Reports confirmed an additional 100 deaths from Monday’s violence, raising the total toll to 440.

The President’s decision to dissolve Parliament has cleared the path for new elections, following the January elections that saw Hasina re-elected for a fourth term amid a boycott by the opposition. “The President dissolved the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) under an executive order,” a Bangabhaban spokesman told PTI. This decision followed consultations with the armed forces chiefs, political party leaders, civil society representatives, and student movement leaders, according to the President’s office.

In a video posted early Tuesday, Nahid Islam, a key student movement coordinator, proposed Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus as the head of the interim government. Yunus has agreed to take on the role to help stabilize the country. He stated that only a government proposed by the students will be accepted, rejecting any military-backed or fascist governments.

Yunus, who is currently abroad, praised the removal of Hasina’s regime as a “second liberation” for Bangladesh. Known for his anti-poverty efforts through Grameen Bank, Yunus has agreed to lead the interim government as chief adviser, the Daily Star reported.

Yunus had previously clashed with Hasina’s government, facing numerous investigations and legal challenges. In January, he was sentenced to six months in jail for labor law violations.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been released from house arrest. The 79-year-old Zia, who has suffered from various health issues, was freed as part of the ongoing process to release individuals detained since July 1.

Fresh clashes erupted on Sunday between protesters demanding Hasina’s resignation over the quota system in government jobs and ruling Awami League supporters. The violence, which had already resulted in over 200 deaths in July, continued with at least 24 people burned alive in a hotel owned by an Awami League leader in the western Jashore district.

Educational institutions reopened on Tuesday after a prolonged closure due to the student movement’s violence. However, attendance in Dhaka was low, and ministry offices saw reduced turnout, with many officials still absent. Army and police personnel were visible at the Home Ministry office, maintaining security.

Bangladesh Protest Update

Bangladesh Army Implements Major Reshuffle; Maj Gen Ziaul Ahsan Dismissed

Dhaka, August 6 — On Tuesday, Bangladesh executed a significant reshuffle in its Army’s top positions. This move came a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country amid deadly protests against her government’s controversial job quota system. Maj Gen Ziaul Ahsan, the director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), has been dismissed from his post, according to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations Department (ISPR), the Army’s media wing, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.

Air India to Resume Evening Flights to Dhaka; Vistara to Restart Services from August 7

New Delhi, August 6

Air India will resume its evening flight from the national capital to Dhaka on Tuesday, while Vistara will resume its services to the Bangladeshi capital starting August 7. The situation in Bangladesh remains uncertain and volatile following street protests over a job quota system, which led to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and departure. Air India had previously canceled its morning flight to Dhaka but will operate its evening flights AI237/238 on the Delhi-Dhaka-Delhi route today.

Bangladesh Unrest: BSF Urges Locals to Avoid Border Areas; DG Tours Petrapole

New Delhi, August 6

In response to the recent upheaval following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Dhaka, the Border Security Force (BSF) has advised locals living along the 4,096 km-long India-Bangladesh border to avoid unnecessary movement, especially at night. The BSF has instructed its units to maintain a heightened alert along the border regions spanning West Bengal (2,217 km), Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Assam (262 km), and Mizoram (318 km). BSF Director General (Acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary is on the second day of his border tour, visiting the Petrapole land port station, the largest in South Asia, located approximately 80 km from Kolkata.

Govt Maintains Contact with Indian Nationals in Bangladesh: Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha

August 6, 2024, 2:57 pm

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha that the Indian government is in regular contact with the Indian community in Bangladesh through its diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals in Bangladesh, including 9,000 students. Most students returned to India in July.

Jaishankar Addresses Concerns Over Bangladesh Violence in Rajya Sabha

August 6, 2024, 2:45 pm

EAM Jaishankar reported that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested permission to come to India at very short notice. On August 5, following large-scale demonstrations in Dhaka, Hasina decided to resign after meeting with security officials, Jaishankar explained in the Rajya Sabha.

Russian Foreign Ministry Comments on Bangladesh Situation

August 6, 2024, 2:32 pm

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the recent changes in the Bangladeshi government are an internal matter. According to their embassy in Dhaka, no Russian citizens have been injured, the ministry said in a statement.

Bangladesh Air Force C-130J Lands at Air Base

August 6, 2024, 2:03 pm

A Bangladesh Air Force C-130J transport aircraft, carrying seven military personnel, landed at a Bangladeshi air base after departing from India. The flight was monitored by security agencies throughout its route over India, defense sources told ANI.

Bangladesh Student Protesters Demand Parliament Dissolution

August 6, 2024, 1:40 pm

Student leaders in Bangladesh have issued an ultimatum via Facebook, demanding that Parliament be dissolved by 3 pm (0900 GMT) on Tuesday. They warned that “revolutionary students” will mobilize if their demand is not met.

Jaishankar to Address Parliament on Bangladesh Crisis

August 6, 2024, 1:10 pm

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that EAM Jaishankar will address both houses of Parliament regarding the Bangladesh situation. Jaishankar will make a suo moto statement in the Lok Sabha at 3:30 pm and in the Rajya Sabha at 2:30 pm.

US Issues ‘Do Not Travel’ Advisory for Bangladesh

August 6, 2024, 12:40 pm

The US State Department has upgraded its travel advisory for Bangladesh to ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel.’ The advisory also recommends that non-emergency US government employees and their families depart. It warns of potential terrorist attacks targeting public areas, including tourist spots, transport hubs, markets, restaurants, places of worship, schools, and government facilities.

Air India Cancels Morning Flight to Dhaka; IndiGo and Vistara Suspend Services

August 6, 2024, 12:05 pm

Air India has canceled its morning flight to Dhaka and will decide later whether to operate its evening flight. The airline operates two flights daily from Delhi to Dhaka. An Air India spokesperson stated that the airline is closely monitoring the situation and offering a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges for passengers with confirmed bookings. IndiGo and Vistara have also suspended their services for Tuesday.