Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been updated on the escalating violence in Bangladesh, which has claimed over 300 lives, and the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed Modi on the situation, but there is no word yet if Modi will meet Hasina, who fled her Dhaka residence before it was overrun by protesters.
Sheikh Hasina has landed at the Hindon Air Force base in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, 30 km from Delhi. Upon arrival, she was received by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Hasina arrived in a Bangladesh Air Force C-130 military transport aircraft, which is now parked near the Indian Air Force’s C-17 and C-130J aircraft. Sources indicate she may fly to London to seek political asylum.
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In response to the crisis, India’s Border Security Force is on high alert along the 4,096 km border shared with Bangladesh. All travel across this border has been halted, with the Railways and Air India canceling trains and flights to Dhaka. Air India typically operates two daily flights from Delhi to Dhaka.
Earlier today, following Hasina’s resignation, Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the military would form an interim government and called for an end to the protests.
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“There is a crisis. I have met Opposition leaders and we have decided to form an interim government to run this country. I take all responsibility and promise to protect your life and property. Your demands will be fulfilled. Please stop the violence,” he said.
The chaos intensified this morning when protesters stormed Gonobhaban, the Prime Minister’s residence in Dhaka. By then, Hasina, who began her fifth term as Prime Minister this year, had fled with her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, in a military helicopter.
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Sunday’s clashes between police and protesters resulted in 100 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. The protests, which began last month over a quota system that reserves up to 30 percent of government jobs for family members of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war against Pakistan, have escalated significantly. The demonstrations have evolved into a broader anti-government movement, attracting people from all sectors of Bangladeshi society, including celebrities.
Although the Bangladesh Supreme Court reduced the reservations to 5 percent, student leaders paused the protests, demanding the release of all detained leaders. When the government ignored these demands, the protests reignited, leading to calls for Hasina’s resignation.
