Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled her palace on Monday, according to an AFP source, as large crowds of protesters demanding her resignation took to the streets of Dhaka. Meanwhile, the army chief was scheduled to address the nation.
In the capital, jubilant crowds waved flags and celebrated peacefully, with some even dancing on top of a tank. A source close to the embattled leader revealed that Hasina had left her palace for a “safer place.”
Hasina’s son has called on the country’s security forces to prevent any potential takeover of her rule. A senior advisor mentioned to AFP that Hasina’s resignation was now a “possibility” when asked about her future plans. The source added that Hasina had intended to record a speech but was unable to do so.
Violent clashes during student protests in Bangladesh over quota reforms have resulted in at least 98 deaths on Sunday, with the total death toll rising to at least 300 according to reports from AFP.
The ongoing unrest has prompted India to advise its citizens against traveling to Bangladesh until further notice. The renewed protests are driven by demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The unrest began last month following a ruling by the Bangladesh High Court that reinstated a 30 percent quota for descendants of freedom fighters in government jobs.
The students’ frustration grew when Prime Minister Hasina refused to reverse this decision. The protests quickly escalated, leading to violent clashes with police and groups supporting the government.
In July, over 200 people were killed, and many others were injured as the movement gained momentum. The government responded by cutting off all broadband and internet connectivity for 11 days, though services have been gradually restored.
Although there was a temporary reduction in protests as talks with the government began, the situation worsened when students launched a nationwide civil disobedience movement and demanded the resignation of PM Hasina.
The students are now calling for a public apology from Hasina for the deaths that occurred and the removal of several of her ministers. Additionally, they are demanding the reopening of schools and universities, which have been closed since the intensification of the protests.