An angry mob in Bangladesh vandalized a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation and former president, following reports of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and departure from the country. As news of the government’s fall spread, thousands of people defied curfew orders, pouring onto the streets to celebrate the end of Hasina’s 15-year rule. This eruption of joy came a day after nearly a hundred people, including 14 police officers, were killed in violent clashes.
Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, addressing the nation, confirmed the 76-year-old Prime Minister had left the country and that an interim government would soon be established. Media outlets reported that Hasina, along with her sister, fled on a military helicopter and had taken refuge in an Indian state. Law enforcement, including police and soldiers in armored vehicles, had cordoned off routes to Hasina’s office with barbed wire, attempting to maintain order amidst the chaos.
Despite these efforts, large crowds stormed the prime minister’s residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka, waving flags and chanting in celebration. Television footage captured the jubilant scenes of people breaking through the gates and shouting victory slogans. Amidst this, enraged protesters targeted statues, pictures, and murals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, expressing their disdain for the Hasina-led regime. Viral videos showed demonstrators climbing atop a large statue of Sheikh Mujib, smashing it with hammers and axes.
Local media estimated that around 400,000 people took to the streets following the collapse of the government, although this figure could not be independently verified. The Hasina government’s downfall came on the heels of some of the worst riots in the country’s history, which have plagued Bangladesh since early July. The unrest, originally sparked by demands to abolish civil service job quotas, escalated into widespread violence, resulting in the deaths of almost 300 people and injuring thousands more.
Sunday marked the deadliest day of the unrest, with 98 fatalities, including 14 police officers. The scale of the protests had grown significantly over the past month, transforming from demonstrations against job quotas into a broader movement demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Hasina. The violence and public outcry reflected deep-seated frustrations with the government’s policies and leadership style.
Sheikh Hasina’s departure marks a significant turning point in Bangladeshi politics. Her tenure, which began in 2009, has been marked by economic growth and infrastructure development but also criticized for authoritarian tendencies and suppression of dissent. The recent protests and her subsequent resignation underscore the volatile political climate in Bangladesh and the public’s demand for change.
In the aftermath of the government’s fall, there are pressing questions about the country’s future direction. The interim government’s role will be crucial in stabilizing the situation and addressing the grievances that fueled the recent unrest. The international community will also be watching closely, given Bangladesh’s strategic importance in South Asia.
The vandalism of Sheikh Mujib’s statue symbolizes the depth of anger and disillusionment among many Bangladeshis. Sheikh Mujib, revered as the nation’s founding father, is a potent symbol of the country’s struggle for independence and identity. The attack on his statue reflects the protesters’ broader rejection of the political establishment associated with his daughter, Sheikh Hasina.
As Bangladesh navigates this turbulent period, the focus will be on healing the divisions within society and establishing a government that can address the demands for justice, transparency, and democratic governance. The recent events have shown the power of public mobilization and the urgent need for political reforms to ensure long-term stability and progress in the country.
