Bangladesh’s president Shaikh Hasina dissolved parliament on Tuesday.  the way for an interim government. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country a day earlier. This followed a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising.

Statement from the President Sheikh hasina

A statement from Sheikh Hasina Mohammed Shahabuddin’s office confirmed that Hasina’s rival, BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, had been freed from house arrest.

Student Protesters

Student protesters threatened more demonstrations if parliament was not dissolved.

What We Know So Far:

• Protest leaders want Nobel laureate Yunus to lead the interim government.
• Ex-PM Khaleda Zia released from house arrest.
• India is ‘deeply concerned’ and assures Hasina of help.
• The death toll from protests rises to 413 after 113 were killed on Monday.
• Global calls for ‘calm’ and a peaceful democratic transition.
• Families wait as some political prisoners are freed.

The movement against Hasina began over public sector job quotas. These quotas were for families of veterans of Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war. Critics saw them as a way to reserve jobs for ruling party allies.

Escalation of Protests

The unrest began with protests against civil service job quotas. It escalated into wider calls for Hasina to step down. Hasina, 76, had been in power since 2009. She was accused of rigging elections in January. Millions of people took to the streets over the past month demanding she step down.

Violence and Unrest

More than 400 people died as security forces tried to quell the unrest. The protests grew, and Hasina fled Bangladesh on Monday as the military turned against her.

Formation of Interim Government

The decision to dissolve parliament followed meetings with defense force heads, political leaders, student leaders, and civil society representatives. President Shahabuddin said an interim government would hold elections soon. Army chief General Wakeruz Zaman will meet student leaders to discuss forming the government.

Statements from Protest Leaders

Nahid Islam, a key organizer against Hasina, said in a video on Facebook with two other student leaders that parliament should be dissolved by 3 pm on Tuesday. They asked “revolutionary students to be ready” if it did not happen.

End of Hasina’s Rule

Hasina’s flight ended her 15-year second stint in power in the country of 170 million people. She ruled for 20 of the last 30 years. She inherited her political movement from her father, state founder Mujibur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1975.