Big Win for Students in Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina Resigns

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned amid widespread protests demanding her departure.

Earlier reports indicated that she had left the capital, Dhaka, a source close to her confirmed to AFP on Monday. “She and her sister have left Ganabhaban (the prime minister’s official residence) for a safer location,” the source said. “She intended to record a speech, but was unable to do so.”

Following this development, Bangladesh’s army chief, Waker-Uz-Zaman, addressed the nation, announcing an investigation into the deaths during the anti-government protests. He also stated that an interim government would be formed, and discussions were ongoing.

Indian media reported that Hasina had left Bangladesh by military helicopter, allegedly heading to India after protesters stormed the Prime Minister’s House in Dhaka.

On Saturday, Bangladeshi student leaders vowed to continue a nationwide civil disobedience campaign until Hasina resigned, following last month’s deadly police crackdown on protesters.

Rallies against civil service job quotas in July led to violent unrest, resulting in over 200 deaths, marking one of the most turbulent periods in Hasina’s 15-year tenure. Although troop deployments briefly restored order, large crowds returned to the streets ahead of a planned non-cooperation movement set to begin on Sunday.

Students Against Discrimination, the group behind the initial protests, rejected an offer of talks with Hasina and declared their campaign would persist until she and her government resigned.

“She must resign and face trial,” said Nahid Islam, the group’s leader, addressing thousands at a monument to national heroes in Dhaka. The group urged citizens to stop paying taxes and utility bills from Sunday to pressure the government and called for strikes among government workers and laborers in the vital garment industry.

“She must go because we don’t need this authoritarian government,” said Nijhum Yasmin, 20, at one of the many protests in Dhaka. “Did we liberate the country to see our brothers and sisters shot dead by this regime?”

The impending non-cooperation campaign echoes a historic civil disobedience movement during Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.

Related: Violence Erupts in Bangladesh as Protests Demand PM’s Resignation