The night before Sheikh Hasina’s sudden departure from Bangladesh, a pivotal decision was made by the army chief, Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman. In a meeting with his generals, he declared that force would not be used against civilians to enforce a curfew. This decision, not to use force, was a significant factor in the events that followed, as it signaled the army’s withdrawal of support from Hasina.
These details, including the unprecedented withdrawal of support from Hasina by the army and the decision not to use force against violent protests, have not been previously reported.
The backdrop to these events were the widespread clashes that erupted across the country, resulting in at least 91 casualties, following student-led protests against Hasina’s government. This wave of protests, triggered by a court ruling related to government job reservations, had quickly escalated into a movement to oust Hasina.
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The army’s withdrawal of support came amidst rising tensions and a death toll of at least 241, making it clear that backing Hasina at all costs was untenable. While the details of Zaman’s decision to withdraw support have not been publicly explained, retired senior army officers, including Brig. Gen. M. Sakhawat Hossain, emphasized the uneasiness within the troops.
On Monday, amidst the nationwide curfew, Hasina made a sudden decision to flee the country along with her sister, as crowds gathered in Dhaka ignoring the curfew. They left for India after a diplomatic interaction concerned with the impact on India’s ties with the next government in Dhaka.
Hasina’s departure to India marks the end of her 15-year rule, a tenure marked by limited dissent and controversial electoral wins. As she sought refuge in India, speculation swirled over the future political landscape of Bangladesh, leaving the public in anticipation and curiosity about the upcoming changes.
