Sanatan Prabhat > Location > Asia > Bangladesh > Bangladeshi President sparks controversy by saying no evidence of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation

Bangladeshi President sparks controversy by saying no evidence of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation

  • Protests in Bangladesh against the President

  • Protesters demand removal of the President within 2 days

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – After the violent agitations undertaken by the so-called students in August 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had to seek refuge in India. Now, two and a half months later, protests have begun against Bangladesh’s President Mohammad Shahabuddin, demanding his resignation. On the night of 22nd October 2024, protesters reached the President’s residence, Banga Bhaban. They were stopped by the military. As the mob turned violent, the Police resorted to ‘lathi charge’ and fired tear gas canisters. At least five people were injured in the stampede and have been hospitalized. The Police stated that they took strict action after protesters began pelting stones. The protesters have made five demands. Two days ago, President Mohammad Shahabuddin, in an interview with a newspaper, stated that he had recently heard of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation from the Prime Minister’s post but had no proof to support it. He tried several times to get her resignation, but perhaps she didn’t have the time. This statement has angered opposition parties and other organizations, leading them to take to the streets in protest against President Shahabuddin. They are demanding that the President should step down within two days since he has lost the moral right to remain in office.

New President to be elected today

Considering the growing opposition to the President’s statement, two leaders associated with the protest, viz. Hasanat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, met the protesters late at night. They urged them to disperse, assuring the student leaders that there would be significant political changes within two days. Student leader Hasanat said that in the presence of chiefs of the armed forces, discussions with political parties would lead to the appointment of a new President by 24th October 2024. He added that they would take to the streets with the people if a new President was not elected by 24th October 2024.

The protesters are also insisting that the Constitution of the country written in 1972 be replaced with a new one. Additionally, they are demanding a ban on the “Bangladesh Chhatra League,” the student wing of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. They want the elections held under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership in 2014, 2018, and 2024 to be declared invalid, and immediate disqualification of the MPs elected through these elections.

After Sheikh Hasina sought refuge in India, an interim Government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, was established in Bangladesh until elections were held.

Is Sheikh Hasina still the Prime Minister of Bangladesh ?

After the President’s statement, there has been a debate in Bangladesh about whether Sheikh Hasina is still constitutionally the Prime Minister of the country. A few days after she left for India, her son Wajed Joy claimed that she was still the actual Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

According to Article 57(A) of Bangladesh’s Constitution, if the Prime Minister submits a resignation to the President, the post of Prime Minister becomes vacant. However, a dilemma has now arisen in Bangladesh, as the President claims he has not received Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.

Bangladesh’s current Law Minister, Asif Nazrul, condemned the President’s statement, saying that the President is clearly lying. He added that if the President remained firm on his stance, the Government should consider removing him from the office.

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