Bangladesh Parliament Dissolved, Hasina’s Rival Zia Freed; India Discusses Neighbouring Crisis | Updates

Bangladesh’s army chief will meet student protest leaders on Tuesday as the country awaits the formation of a new government a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled following a violent uprising against her.

At least 109 people were killed during the violent unrest on Monday, the deadliest day since protests began in early July, bringing the total number of deaths since mid-Jult to 409. Here are the latest updates on the Bangladesh crisis:

Parliament Dissolved, Khaleda Released

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday dissolved the 12th Parliament, which was formed through the January 7 national election. In a press release, Bangabhaban stated, “The decision to dissolve Parliament was made following the president’s discussions with the chiefs of the three armed forces, leaders of various political parties, representatives of civil society, and leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.” This development coincided with the release of Sheikh Hasina’s rival, Khaleda Zia, who had been imprisoned since 2018 on corruption charges.

Calm After Chaos

The situation in Dhaka was largely calm on Tuesday morning after a day of unrest and a night of tension. Buses and other public transport were on the streets and traders were opening shops. Government vehicles were heading to offices.  This comes a day after hundreds of people broke into her residence, vandalising and looting the interiors, providing dramatic expression to the anti-government protests. Hasina’s residence Sudha Sadan and other establishments were attacked, vandalised and set on fire in the capital.

Interim Govt, Chief ‘Nobel’ adviser

On Tuesday, the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced that Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus will be the chief adviser to the interim government. In a video posted on social media, Nahid Islam, one of the key coordinators of the movement, said that Prof Yunus has agreed to take on this crucial responsibility at the call of the student community to save the country, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

“We took 24 hours to announce a framework for the interim government. However, considering the emergency situation, we are announcing it now,” Nahid said. “We have decided that the interim government would be formed in which internationally renowned Nobel Laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus, who has wide acceptability, would be the chief adviser,” said Nahid, flanked by two other coordinators. His announcement comes hours after President Mohammed Shahabuddin said an interim government would be formed after dissolving the parliament as soon as possible.

Toll Rises, Attacks On Temples

According to local media reports, 119 people have been killed in the violence and attacks on Hindu temples and widespread looting in the capital and various other places. Hundreds of people were killed in clashes in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, at the last moment of the one-point demand of the anti-discrimination student movement on Monday.

Earlier, the Bengali language daily Prothom Alo reported the death of 98 people till 12 pm on Sunday. Another 16 deaths were reported in the middle of the night. The total death toll stood at 114 on Sunday. “With this, the total death toll stood at 440 in 21 days from July 16 to yesterday,” the paper said. It said that 37 bodies were brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital between 11 am and 8 pm on Monday. Citing hospital sources, it said 500 people were brought to the hospital with various injuries, including bullet injuries.

All-Party meeting, Hasina’s India presence

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed an all-party meeting about the ongoing developments in Bangladesh on Tuesday. “Appreciate the unanimous support and understanding that was extended,” he said in a post on social media platform X. Responding to Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi while addressing an all-party meeting, Jaishankar said it was too early to say anything about foreign conspiracy. Jaishahkar, however, said, “It is too early to rule in or rule out anything, but a Pakistani diplomat did change his social media profile picture to support the agitation in Bangladesh.”

Jaishankar said Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India is a courtesy move while the central government is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. About her arrival in India, Jaishankar told the all-party meeting that for now it is being ensured that Hasina settles down, recovers and feels comfortable enough to discuss her plans. “We want to give her space and time, she has come at short notice,” he said at the meeting.

In Indian Parliament

Jaishankar told Parliament on Tuesday that ousted Hasina reached out to India for safe passage following her abrupt resignation in the wake of the political crisis in the country. Delivering a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha on the situation in Bangladesh, Jaishankar said that Hasina on Monday requested and received approval to travel to India at “very short notice”.

“On 5th August, demonstrators converged in Dhaka despite the curfew. Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of the security establishment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apparently made the decision to resign,” Jaishankar said in the Parliament. “At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from Bangladesh authorities. She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi,” he added.

Air India

Air India announced on social media that it will operate its evening flights AI237/238 on the Delhi-Dhaka-Delhi route on August 6, 2024. Due to ongoing unrest in Dhaka, the airline is providing a one-time waiver for rescheduling to customers with confirmed bookings on any Air India flight to or from Dhaka between August 4 and August 7.

US, UK Reacts

The US, UK, and other global actors have for calm in Bangladesh. The United States called on all sides in Bangladesh to “refrain from further violence” as bullet-ridden bodies were strewn across hospital floors and looting swept the capital Dhaka. “Too many lives have been lost over the course of the past several weeks, and we urge calm and restraint in the days ahead,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called for a full and independent UN-led investigation into the Bangladesh crisis following unprecedented violence and the loss of hundreds of lives over the past two weeks. Lammy urged all parties to collaborate to end the violence, restore calm, and prevent further casualties. Notably, Lammy did not mention Hasina, who fled to India and is reportedly seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

President’s Appeal

Late Monday night, President Shahabuddin asked all the political parties to normalise the law and order situation in the country and directed the armed forces to take stern measures to protect the lives and properties of the people and state assets. The educational institutions in the country were reopened on Tuesday following a long period of closure due to violence surrounding the student movement.

“The institution is open, and some girls have come, but attendance is low. Attendance will increase in a couple of days,” Md Rahamot Ullah, principal of Kisholoy Girls’ School and College in the Mohammadpur area of the capital, was quoted as saying by the paper. Trouble had been steadily escalating since the government’s announcement of the quota system in June this year.

Return of BNP Leader

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has announced that Tarique Rahman, the party’s acting chairman, will be returning to the country very soon. “You all know that our leader, Tarique Rahman, has been unjustly exiled abroad due to false cases. He has fully supported this movement, and we have taken steps to bring him back to the country immediately. Insha’Allah, we will be successful,” the BNP leader was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribune.

“It has been decided that our leader Begum Khaleda Zia will be released immediately. Those who were imprisoned for political reasons will also be released. Now, in the current situation, all political parties, students, and the public will work together to control it.” He said: “We have achieved a great victory, a great success. To maintain this success, let’s show restraint, not act out of anger or hatred, not attack anyone, and not damage any institutions. Especially, let’s not attack our religious minority brothers.”

(With agency inputs)

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