DHAKA: Forced by the Students Against Discrimination (SAD)’s protests, that claimed 413 lives, 76-year-old Sheikh Hasina called it a day on 5th August, 2024 and resigned from the post of PM before fleeing to India by means of an Army Helicopter.

For 15 years Sheikh Hasina remained perched at the pinnacle (cosily basking under the sunshine of the goodwill of her father since 2009). During her tenure she dealt her opponents with an iron hand.

Bangladesh, under her leadership Sheikh transformed its economy and its per capita income is today better than that of India. Yet an enormous number of youngsters are sans employment.

It may be recalled that students took to the streets last month to protest against reintroduction of civil-service job quota scheme.

That reserved more than half of all government jobs for groups including children and grandchildren of the 1971 war ‘heroes’. When 91 protesters died during the agitation, the SCB abolished most of the quota.

But students went back to streets demanding justice for those who were killed during the manifestations.

Despite imposition of curfew, they called for Civil Disobedience till the PM resigned. These developments show the determination of Bangladeshi students to get their rights even if it means giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Newly appointed, 58-year-old Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, who reportedly proclaimed that he would never order opening fire at students, told officers at military HQ here on Saturday: “Bangladesh army is the symbol of trust of the people.

“It always stood by the people and will do so for the sake of people and in any need of the state”.

General Waker-uz-Zaman told the Media: “After holding a fruitful discussion with all political parties (in the Army Headquarters), we have decided to form an interim government.

“We will speak to President Mohammed Shahabuddin now to resolve the situation”. Meanwhile, Waker-uz-Zaman requested people to abide by the curfew.

General held: “The countrymen suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, many people have been killed. It is time to stop the violence.”

It is pertinent to mention here that on Monday (5th August, 2024) thousands of students, defying the countrywide curfew, marched to the capital. They entered Sheikh Hasina’s official residence.

Few picked appliances like TV to take away, while many got hold of chicken and ducks to take home. One climbed the statue of the founder of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujeeb-ur-Rehman (father of Sheikh Hasina) and attempted to decapitate it using a hammer.

House of the Chief Justice (who was not in) was attacked too. The protesters vandalised the batiment and looted the valuables including luxury cars.

When the Bangladeshis, allover the world, learned about Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, they emerged from their houses and offices to celebrate the 2nd independence day.

Talking to this scribe, jubilant citoyens of Bangladesh said that Monday’s development should be an instance for the tyrants of the future. Industrialists too said they supported the students.

Students stated that ever a democratically elected politician try to become a dictator the students of Bangladesh will confront that person.

SAD leaders want the 84-year-old Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus to lead the government: “In Dr. Yunus we trust. Any government other then the one we recommended would not be accepted...

“We have also discussed with Muhammad Yunus and he has agreed to take on this responsibility at our invitation”.

Student leaders warned that they would not accept any army-led or army-supported government.

Newspakistan.tv