By Emeka Amaefula
HOW STUDENTS’ ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PROTESTS IN BANGLADESH DEPOSED PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HASINA FROM OFFICE
On Monday 5th of August, 2024 witnessed the end of the 15 years reign of Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, the Female Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The youth led Students’ Anti-discrimination against job system which began in mid July 2024 at Dhaka university ground as the starting protest site brought the 75 years old former Prime Minister’s administration to an abrupt end as she fled the state capital in helicopter flight to India. The President Mohammed Shahabaddin after an emergency meeting quickly announced the dissolution of the parliament with the formation of an Interim Government while the Chief of Army, General Waker-Uz-Zama after holding consultation with opposition political parties which the ruling party ignored in a national broadcast stated the formation of Interim Government. The Protesters demanded for the establishment of Interim Government as her administration was enmeshed in job discrimination, corruption and authoritarian high-handedness with certain jobs being reserved for some people.
She was first elected in 1996 when her political party won the majority of the election for a term of 5 years as her party maintained winning streaks until the 2024 election when she was alleged to have won in a fraudulent election that denied most youth from participation.
Bangladesh gained Independence from Pakistan on 16th of December 1971 with Sheikh Mujiban Rahman the father of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, having led the battle for the Independence of Bangladesh in 1971. He was assassinated in 1975.On Saturday 3rd of August, 2924 the protesters intensified their demand for the Government to resign from office calling for civil disobedience with citizens asked to refuse paying taxes, utility bills, keep of from offices, factories and public transport all demanded to close down while they asked people to refuse Government offer of dialogue to end violence. On Sunday 4th of August, 2924 the protesters went further in the anti-Discrimination Protests leading to the death of 100 citizens including 14 Police officers who died in the process. Earlier on Monday morning of 5th of August, 2024 greater number of the citizens from various states were seen marching towards the Dhaka capital of Bangladesh chanting resignation of the Prime Minister as the authorities already had given in to the demands of the Protesters which included reforms of the unpopular job quota system while Protesters demanded for the prosecution of the Police officer involved in the killing of about 300 persons.
It was reported that in a Press statement signed by Nahid Islam and Ashif Mahmud, the two Co-ordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students ‘ Protest Movement insisted that political power must be transferred to Interim Government
“We will not accept any other proposal” the statement read. The meeting held that included the stakeholders in the political; class agreed that opposition former Prime Minister khaleda Zia who was jailed since 2018 later on parole in 2022 at a home in Dhaka for graft of stealing money meant for Orphans should be released. he was the head of the Bangladesh National Party-BNP which was arch rival to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami league party. The Chief of Army General Waker Uz-Zama told the nation that “Justice will be done for all those killings and atrocities. Please keep confidence in the Army”, he said. while he urged protesters to refrain from further violence and remain calm.
—–Emeka Amaefula—+2334(0)8111813069——–
