| Part of theaftermath of the July Revolution | |
 The moment of Sheikh Hasina's departure after her resignation | |
| Date | August 5, 2024 (2024-08-05) |
|---|---|
| Time | 2:25 pm (BST,UTC+6:00) |
| Duration | 3 days (transition) |
| Venue | Ganabhaban |
| Location | Dhaka,Bangladesh |
| Cause | Ek Dofa (One Point Demand) |
| Participants | Sheikh Hasina |
| ||
|---|---|---|
First Premiership (1996–2001) Opposition Leader (2001–2009) Second Premiership (2009–2024)
Resignation and Exile (2024-present)
Elections Ministries National Projects | ||
| Gallery: Picture, Sound, Video | ||
On 5 August 2024, at around 2:25 p.m.,Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position as thePrime Minister of Bangladesh and fled the country on a helicopter with her sister,Sheikh Rehana, to India,[1][2][3] arriving inDelhi viaAgartala.[4]
Sheikh Hasina's first term asPrime Minister of Bangladesh began on June 23, 1996, when she took office after her party, theAwami League, secured victory inthe general election, succeedingKhaleda Zia of theBangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).[5] This initial period lasted until July 15, 2001. She returned to power on January 6, 2009, following a decisive win in the2008 general election, and subsequently secured re-election in2014,2018, and2024.[6] However, these later elections were widely criticized for lack of transparency, with opposition parties boycotting them and international observers alleging vote manipulation and suppression.[7] Her government was also accused of interfering with the country’s judiciary and the judicial system.[8]
By mid-2024, Sheikh Hasina's government was under mounting pressure due to several key factors.[9][10] Protests, particularly theQuota reform movement, had become a focal point of national discontent, with students and civil society calling for political reforms and a more meritocratic approach to the country'squota system.[11] Despite the initialstudent protests in 2018, which saw the quota system being outlawed, the Hasina administration were accused of interfering with the country’s judiciary to bring the controversial quota system back.[12]
Following months long protests, which sawviolent suppression and killings of protesters, Hasina andher administration were given an ultimatum by the lead organisation of protesters,Students Against Discrimination, to resign from office.[13]
They declared that if the government did not step down, the protesters and civil society members would engage inwidespread non-cooperation with the state including strikes and civil disobedience.
On 3 August 2024, theStudents Against Discrimination along with thousands of protesters gathered near theShaheed Minar inDhaka and declared one point demand for the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and confirmed their intention to march towards Dhaka on 6 August to demand the Prime Minister's resignation.[14] However, the day after, following a heavy death toll of protesters, They announced the "Long march to Dhaka" to be held on 5 August.[15]
On the early hours of 5 August 2024, the protests under the banner of Students Against Discrimination, along with thousands of other demonstrators, intensified their demand for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.[16]
At around 10:00 AM, groups of protesters, initially from major universities and colleges, gathered near key government buildings, including thePrime Minister's Office, theJatiya Sangsad Bhaban, andGanabhaban, the official residence of thePrime Minister.[17] The protesters, chanting slogans and waving banners calling for the end of Hasina’s rule, were met by heavy security forces, including riot police and paramilitary units, who attempted to block their advance.[18]
By 11:00 AM, The protesters broke through police barricades near the prime minister's office.[19] The clashes between security forces and protesters escalated rapidly, with reports of live ammunition being used, leading to casualties on both sides.[20]
At around 12:30 PM, news broke that the protesters had successfully stormed the gates of Ganabhaban, forcing their way onto the grounds.[21] Although, reports indicated that Hasina had already been rushed to a "secure location" within the compound. By 2:00 PM, the protesters’ also stormed the Jatiya Sangsad.[22]
Following the violence and key national points being overwhelmed by the protesters, reports started spreading of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and flight.[23] On 3:00 pm (BST), TheArmy Chief of Staff,GeneralWaker-uz-Zaman confirmed the resignation and self imposed exile of Sheikh Hasina during an address to nation following the political vacuum left by Hasina's exit.[24]
Hasina reportedly flew in aBangladesh Air ForceC-130transport toHindan Air Force Station inGhaziabad,India, where she was received by theNational Security Advisor of India,Ajit Doval, along with other senior military officials.[25]Indian minister of external affairsS. Jaishankar told theIndian Parliament that, "At very short notice, she [Sheikh Hasina] requested approval to come for the moment to India".[26]
On 8 August 2024, Aninterim government was formed to manage the transition of power and organize elections. As, theprevious parliament was dissolved on 6 August following Hasina’s exile.[27]Nobel laureateMuhammad Yunus was appointed to lead the administration by mutual consensus among key political and civil groups including protesting lead theStudents Against Discrimination.[28]
Public celebrations erupted across the country as many viewed Hasina’s resignation as a victory for the protest movement.[29] The Anti-Discrimination Students Movement and other civil society groups, however, remained active, demanding systemic reforms, including changes to the electoral process and judiciary.[30]
International responses to the resignation highlighted concerns over stability and democratic progress.[31]United Nations andAmnesty International emphasized the need to protect human rights, as following the fall of Hasina administration,violence targeting Hasina’s supporters andreligious minorities broke out.[32] They also called the interim government to ensure accountability for anyone involved in the violence during the protests.[33]
On October 2024, during a conversation withManab Zamin's Chief Editor, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury,[34]PresidentMohammed Shahabuddin quoted that,
"I tried [to collect the resignation letter] many times but failed. Maybe she did not get the time.
When things came under control, one day the cabinet secretary came to collect the copy of the resignation letter. I told him that I too am looking for it,"[35]
Citing concerns over the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister, andthe legality of the interim government as per theexisting constitution.[36]
Following the remarks, the interim government'sAdviser for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,Asif Nazrul said, "The president's statement that he did not receive Sheikh Hasina's resignation letter is a lie, and it is a violation of his oath."[37]
TheChief Adviser's DeputyPress Secretary,Apurba Jahangir, during a press briefing at theForeign Service Academy agreed with Law advisers views and quoted,
"...the government also agrees that by lying about the letter, the president has violated his oath,..."[38]
Asif Mahmud, the Interim Adviser for theMinistries of Youth and Sports andLabor and Employment, posted onFacebook stating, "Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina had verbally communicated her resignation to thePresident". He added, while she was initially expected to deliver a formal resignation letter atBangabhaban, the approach of protesters nearGanabhaban reportedly necessitated her departure from the location. Mahmud questioned the implications of the resignation occurring under these circumstances.[39]
During aroundtable discussion organized byIslami Andolan inSegunbagicha,Sarjis Alam, one of the coordinator ofStudents Against Discrimination quoted,
"If a person like President Mohammed Shahabuddin says that he does not have the documents of Sheikh Hasina's resignation, then it will be up to the student community to decide what action should be taken against him."[40]
Another coordinator,Hasnat Abdullah, also posted on social media stating, "Awami League [as a party] should face justice, a new constitution should be written, corrupt Awami bureaucrats should be sacked, all illegal agreements made during Hasina's tenure should be cancelled, and (Sahabuddin) Chuppu should be removed from the post of president immediately."[41]
Nasir Uddin Patwary, convener of theJatiya Nagorik Committee, also criticised PresidentMohammed Shahabuddin, saying, "Chuppu (President) is part of the fascist regime. He has no right to remain as president, and we will not allow any element of this regime to persist after the mass uprising."[42]
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