Bangladesh’s top officials resign amid escalating Student-Led protests

International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Sunday, August 11th, 2024

RKI Web Desk

 DHAKA: Bangladesh’s Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and Central Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder have resigned amid intensifying student protests, which have forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina into exile. The resignations mark a significant shift in the political landscape, as demonstrators expand their demands to include the removal of officials appointed during Hasina’s administration.

Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan stepped down after students threatened him with “dire consequences.” Hassan, who had previously overseen a controversial war crimes tribunal, stated, “It’s not possible anymore for me to perform the duty.” His departure follows a protest outside the court where hundreds of demonstrators called for his resignation.

Central Bank Governor Talukder also tendered his resignation, although it has not yet been accepted, according to Finance Ministry adviser Salehuddin Ahmed. The banking sector has been in turmoil, with four deputy governors recently forced to resign following corruption allegations.

The vice chancellor of Dhaka University, A.S.M. Maksud Kamal, has also resigned amid the unrest. The university has been a central hub for protests, which initially focused on job quotas but have since evolved into a broader movement to oust Hasina.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, has returned from Europe to lead the temporary administration. He has appealed for religious unity, urging calm in the aftermath of the protests. Yunus’s visit to the northern city of Rangpur, where he met with the mother of a student killed by police, underscored the deep emotional and political divisions in the country.