New Delhi: Following unprecedented anti-government protests, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5, 2024. She subsequently landed at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad, en route to London, according to multiple diplomatic sources. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Ms. Hasina shortly after her arrival on a C-130J military transport aircraft from the Bangladesh Air Force. The details of their meeting remain undisclosed.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the unfolding situation in Bangladesh and also informed Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Sources suggest Ms. Hasina has been moved to a safe location in India and may not leave for London immediately due to emerging issues.
The anti-government protests, initially sparked by a controversial job quota scheme favoring veterans’ families, escalated dramatically, leading to over 100 fatalities in the last two days. The Army chief announced that the military would take over responsibility for maintaining law and order in Bangladesh.
In light of the turmoil, Assam’s government has issued a high alert for districts bordering Bangladesh. The European Union has called for an “orderly and peaceful” transition to democratic governance in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for respect for human rights and democratic principles.
Prime Minister Modi convened a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to assess the situation. Participants included Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Protests in Dhaka have resulted in significant damage, including the vandalism of Sheikh Hasina’s residence and the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre. The Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has temporarily ceased operations amid the unrest. Airlines such as IndiGo and Air India have canceled flights to and from Dhaka, and the Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express train service has been suspended.
Bangladesh Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman announced the military’s interim governance role following Ms. Hasina’s resignation. He assured the nation that injustices would be addressed and urged an end to the violence. The students leading the protests demand a democratic political environment and consultation with citizens during the power transition.
Security measures have been heightened at the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi, and India has suspended all train services with Bangladesh. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing monitoring and responses from various stakeholders.
