Ousting of Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, stepped down from her position and fled to India on August 5 after being in power for 15 years. This was in response to the ongoing protests in Dhaka, which started in early July.

High Death Toll

The protests have resulted in the deaths of 432 people, with the deadliest day being August 4 where 122 people lost their lives. What initially began as a peaceful demonstration by students against the reinstatement of civil service job quotas, has now turned into a demand for Hasina's resignation. However, the government refused to meet these demands, leading to violent and chaotic scenes in the streets of Dhaka. In an effort to restore calm, the army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has appealed to protesters to resort to non-violent and peaceful means.

Revolt Against The Government

These protests are being viewed as a sign of a potential "revolutionary period" in Bangladesh, with some analysts attributing the increase in violence to the perception that the government's power is about to be challenged. This has resulted in heightened security measures, with army tanks and police vehicles patrolling the streets and minimal civilian traffic. Internet access has been severely restricted, offices are closed, and over 3,500 garment factories have been shut down. 13

High Unemployment
The country is also facing high unemployment rates, with 18 million people without jobs, leading to concerns about corruption and the need for bribery in order to secure a place in government entrance exams. The situation is further exacerbated by the large number of unemployed youth, resulting in huge crowds at government entrance exams.