A protest demanding the resignation of Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin erupted into violence when demonstrators clashed with riot police as they attempted to storm his residence, resulting in 30 people being injured.
A protest demanding the resignation of Bangladesh's President
Though President Shahabuddin holds a largely ceremonial position, he played a key role in the August student revolution that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Shahabuddin declared her resignation on the day she fled to India, clearing the way for the caretaker government currently in power.
However, in a recent interview, Shahabuddin admitted he had not seen an official resignation letter from Hasina, raising doubts about the legality of her departure.
Hundreds of protesters Gathered near President's Residence
On Tuesday, protesters gathered outside his residence in Dhaka, accusing him of lingering loyalty to Hasina and her Awami League party and demanding his removal. “A president from the previous regime has no place in this new era,” said Faruk Hossain, a student leader involved in the protest.
Hundreds of protesters Clashes with Police
Hundreds of protesters attempted to breach the security cordon around the compound late on Wednesday, leading to clashes. According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Talebur Rahman, 25 police officers were injured, with nine still receiving treatment. Five others, including protesters and journalists, were also treated for injuries.
The protest eventually dispersed after leaders from Students Against Discrimination, the group credited with leading the uprising, arrived and promised to find a replacement for Shahabuddin. Student leader Hasnat Abdullah told the crowd they would discuss the issue with political parties and the military chief before selecting a new president. Sarjis Alam, another leader, urged the crowd to stay calm, warning those emotional reactions could harm the country’s future.
Since Hasina’s ouster, several key figures seen as loyal to her, including Supreme Court judges and the central bank chief, have been removed from their positions, typically after protests outside their offices or homes.
