DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday dissolved his country’s Parliament a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country after massive protests against her government. This is likely to pave the way for the formation of an interim government and eventually fresh elections.
This decision was taken after President Shahabuddin discussed the situation with the chiefs of the three services and leaders of different parties and civil society groups.
The leaders of the student protests have proposed the name of 84-year-old Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank, as head of the interim government. A staunch critic of the Sheikh Hasina regime, he and his Grameen were probed by the previous government.
Yunus has reportedly agreed to take the responsibility to save Bangladesh. The students have said no military government or one backed the military would be acceptable to them.
News agency reports said, meanwhile, that Sheikh Hasina's plans to travel to London had hit a roadblock over some “uncertainties” and she is unlikely to leave India for at least the next couple of days. Reports further said that Sheikh Hasina, who landed in a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft at Hindon Air Force Base near New Delhi on Monday evening, has been shifted to an unspecified location under tight security.
While the former Bangladesh PM, accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana, had planned to leave for London from India to take temporary refuge, that option is not being pursued now. This is reportedly as the British government is said to have indicated that she may not get legal protection against any possible probe into the massive violent protests in her country.
Speculation is also rife that Finland may be another possible safe European destination eventually for the beleaguered leader, particularly as she has some family members living there.
External affairs minister S. Jaishankar, meanwhile, told an all-party meeting here on Tuesday that India has assured all help to Sheikh Hasina and had given her time to decide her future course of action. The EAM also reportedly told the Opposition leaders that the former PM was in a state of shock and the government would give her time to recover before it speaks to her on various issues, including her future plans, sources was quoted as saying.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi apparently sought to know at the meeting if foreign governments might be involved in fuelling the crisis in Bangladesh, in response to which Jaishankar reportedly did not rule it out but emphasised that the situation was too fluid now.
Various Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, apparently assured the government of their full support and cooperation on the issue.
At the meeting, Jaishankar reportedly said India had spoken to the Bangladesh Army chief to ensure the safety of the thousands of Indian nationals, including students, in that country. Expressing concern, he also reportedly noted that the homes and properties belonging to the minorities were being targeted by protesters in the neighbouring country.
“Briefed an all-party meeting in Parliament today about the ongoing developments in Bangladesh. Appreciate the unanimous support and understanding that was extended,” the EAM posted on social media platform X.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju and Union minister and BJP president J.P. Nadda were present at the meeting.
Apart from Gandhi, the other Opposition leaders at the meeting included TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay, NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule, RJD leader Misa Bharti, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopoal Yadav and T.R. Baalu of the DMK. From the BJP’s NDA partners, JD(U) leader Lalan Singh, JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, TD leader Rammohan Naidu were also among those who were present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, British foreign secretary David Lammy said in London on Tuesday that “the people of Bangladesh deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks”. The statement is significant as Sheikh Hasina was reportedly keen on securing asylum in Britain. He was quoted as saying: “The last two weeks in Bangladesh have seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life. A transitional period has been announced by the Chief of the Army Staff. All sides now need to work together to end the violence, restore calm, deescalate the situation and prevent any further loss of life.” Mr Lammy added: “The UK wants to see action taken to ensure Bangladesh a peaceful and democratic future. The UK and Bangladesh have deep people-to-people links and shared Commonwealth values.”
