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Bangladesh’s PM Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday, ending 15 years in power as thousands of protesters defied a military curfew and stormed her official residence. read more
 "Timeline of events leading to Sheikh Hasina's resignation in Bangladesh")
People participate in a rally against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government demanding justice for the victims killed in the recent countrywide deadly clashes, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. Image- AP
Bangladesh is on the brink of a military takeover as protests demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation intensify, with over 300 deaths reported since the unrest began. Sources in Dhaka suggest that a temporary military administration may be imminent. Sources at the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi confirmed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down and left the country for a safer place probably India.
Here are the timeline of events leading to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation in Bangladesh
July 1, 2024: Blockades Begin
University students initiated blockades, disrupting roads and railway lines. Their demand was for reforms in the quota system for public sector jobs, which they claimed favoured loyalists of Hasina’s ruling Awami League.
Having won a fifth term in January, Hasina dismissed the protests, stating students were “wasting their time”.
July 16, 2024: Violence intensifies
Violence escalated with the first recorded deaths of six people following clashes between protesters and pro-government supporters in Dhaka. In response, Hasina’s government closed schools and universities nationwide.
July 18, 2024: PM Hasina rebuffed
Students rejected Hasina’s appeal for calm and continued to demand her resignation.
Protesters chanted “down with the dictator,” and torched the headquarters of Bangladesh Television along with other government buildings. The government imposed an internet blackout to curb the unrest.
Clashes left at least 32 people dead and hundreds injured, despite a curfew and soldier deployment.
July 21, 2024: Supreme Court verdict
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court ruled against reintroducing job quotas, a decision critics viewed as aligning with Hasina’s government. The verdict did not satisfy protesters’ demands to abolish job reservations for children of “freedom fighters” from Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war.
August 4, 2024: Army sides with protesters
Hundreds of thousands clashed with government supporters again, resulting in 68 deaths, including 14 police officers. Former Army chief General Ikbal Karim Bhuiyan urged the government to withdraw troops and condemned the killings. Current Army chief Waker-uz-Zaman stated the armed forces “always stood by the people”.
August 5, 2024: Call for final protest
Leaders of the civil disobedience campaign called on supporters to march on Dhaka for a “final protest”.
The escalating confrontation with the government led to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning and fleeing the capital, Dhaka.
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