Protests Erupt in Dhaka as Demonstrators Demand President Shahabuddin’s Resignation

GG News Bureau
Dhaka, 24th Oct. Hundreds of demonstrators attempted to storm the presidential palace in Dhaka on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The unrest was ignited by Shahabuddin’s recent remarks in an interview with the Bangla daily Manab Zamin, where he claimed he did not possess documentary evidence of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation prior to her departure from Bangladesh on August 5 amidst widespread student-led protests.

Footage from the scene showed protesters clashing with police, who were trying to block their access to Bangabhaban, the presidential palace. The situation escalated as police fired sound grenades to disperse the crowd, prompting army troops to assist law enforcement. According to The Business Standard, hospital sources reported that two individuals were shot while trying to breach the palace’s barricades, and a third was injured by a sound grenade.

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement, which played a crucial role in Hasina’s ousting, held a rally at Central Shaheed Minar, demanding Shahabuddin’s resignation and establishing a seven-day deadline for him to step down. The movement outlined a five-point agenda, including the abolition of the 1972 Constitution, which they argue has facilitated Shahabuddin’s presidency. Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah emphasized the need for a new constitution that reflects the ongoing political upheaval, warning of escalating protests if their demands are not met within the week.

Various groups joined the protests alongside the Anti-discrimination Student Movement at key locations, including Dhaka University and the presidential palace. Asif Nazrul, a law affairs adviser in Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, accused Shahabuddin of “falsehood,” claiming his comments constituted a breach of his oath of office. He indicated that if Shahabuddin continued to deny the validity of Hasina’s resignation, he could face accusations of dishonesty.

In a televised address on August 5, Shahabuddin claimed to have received Hasina’s resignation letter in the presence of top military officials. Nazrul pointed out that if Shahabuddin later denied receiving the letter, it would raise questions about his credibility.

Following the protests, Nazrul and Nahid Islam, an adviser from the information ministry and a leader in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, met with Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. Speculation surrounds this meeting, suggesting discussions on potential actions regarding the president’s position.

Constitution expert Shahdhin Malik commented on the parliamentary authority to impeach the president, noting that the interim government might act outside legal frameworks given the current political chaos. He remarked that the ongoing debate over Hasina’s resignation letter is unnecessary, given the context of the interim government’s formation based on a Supreme Court ruling.

In response to the turmoil, the Bangabhaban released a statement urging the public not to stir controversy over what they consider a “settled issue,” asserting that the legitimacy of the interim government and questions surrounding Hasina’s departure have been addressed by the Supreme Court. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus became Bangladesh’s interim government’s Chief Adviser on August 8, following Hasina’s flight to India three days earlier amid the escalating protests.