Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned and fled to India following weeks of deadly protests in the country. The resignation was confirmed by the army and Bangladesh High Commission officials in Delhi.
Leading national newspapers report that Hasina, 76, and her sister took a military helicopter to India for “safe shelter” away from her official residence, as confirmed by Reuters.
The protests, which began in July as a student movement against civil service job quotas, escalated into broader unrest reflecting frustrations with the economy, corruption, and the government’s authoritarian tendencies. The violence peaked on Sunday, with at least 94 people killed, including 14 police officers, and numerous injuries. Additional clashes on Monday in the Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas resulted in at least six more deaths.
Security forces remained loyal to Hasina throughout the unrest, despite protesters defying curfews and facing deadly force. Since the start of the protests, the total number of casualties has reached at least 300, according to an AFP tally from police, government officials, and hospital doctors.
In a statement on Saturday, military officials reiterated their support for the people. Following Hasina’s departure, the army chief announced an interim leader. Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving female leader in the world, faced numerous challenges during her tenure, including assassination attempts, imprisonment, and allegations of human rights abuses, which she has denied.
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