Chaos Engulfs Bangladesh as PM Sheikh Hasina Departs Amid Escalating Unrest
In the wake of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sudden resignation and departure from Bangladesh, the capital city of Dhaka has descended into turmoil. Protesters, emboldened by the power vacuum, have unleashed a wave of destruction targeting symbols of the outgoing government.
Vandalism and Arson Sweep the Capital
The headquarters of the Awami League, Hasina’s political party, fell victim to arsonists as angry mobs set the building ablaze. In a symbolic act reminiscent of the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s statue in Iraq in 2003, demonstrators vandalized a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father and the country’s founding president.
The streets of Dhaka have become a theatre of chaos. Eyewitnesses report scenes of protesters damaging abandoned ministerial vehicles and clambering atop military armored carriers. Surprisingly, army personnel deployed on the streets appear to view Hasina’s exit with relief.
Government Buildings Ransacked
The Prime Minister’s official residence, Gono Bhaban, bore the brunt of the protesters’ fury. Rioters were observed destroying furniture, shattering glass doors, and looting various items. The BBC reported widespread pillaging across Dhaka, with the residence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in the Dhanmondi area suffering significant damage.
The unrest has spread beyond the capital. In the eastern city of Sylhet, arsonists targeted the offices of the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police. Several local councillors’ homes also came under attack.
Hasina’s Flight and International Implications
Indian security agencies are closely monitoring a C-130 aircraft, identified by the call sign AJAX1431, believed to be carrying Sheikh Hasina and her entourage. The plane, detected 10 kilometers from the India-Bangladesh border, is expected to touch down in Delhi between 1700 and 1715 hours.
Former Indian Foreign Secretary and ex-Ambassador to Bangladesh, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, offered insights into the complex factors fueling the unrest. He suggested that opposition groups like the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami have exploited the situation, introducing violence into what began as peaceful protests.
Root Causes of the Unrest
Shringla highlighted several underlying issues contributing to the crisis:
- Economic Hardship: Bangladesh’s economy is still reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Global Conflicts: The Ukraine war has driven up prices of essential commodities.
- Financial Strain: The country faces a challenging balance of payments situation.
- Inflation: Prices have surged by 17-20%, intensifying public frustration.
While the student protests initially focused on quota issues, Shringla argues that these economic factors have played a significant role in fueling public discontent.
Shringla also raised the possibility of foreign interference, stating, “The involvement of foreign powers who are inimical to Bangladesh’s interest and to India’s security can’t be ruled out.” He emphasized the need to consider both internal economic factors and potential external opportunists in understanding the current crisis.
