Bangladesh protesters siege ‘Banga Bhaban’, demands for president’s resignation

Later at night, the protesters marched towards the Banga Bhaban where they met with barricades set up by the army. Despite facing roadblocks, they continued to gather outside the palace, chanting slogans calling for the president to step down. 

Written by: Sanchita Sinha

Published: October 23, 2024, 10:26 AM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/world/bangladesh-protesters-siege-banga-bhaban-demands-for-presidents-resignation-7343179/ Copy

Bangladesh protesters siege 'Banga Bhaban', demands for president's resignation

Dhaka: Fresh protests erupted in the neighboring country, Bangladesh on Tuesday, which laid siege to Banga Bhaban, the official residence of the president, Mohammed Shahabuddin, demanding his resignation. Earlier on Tuesday, Anti-discrimination Student Movement organized at Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka , the group which ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced 5 point demands, with the resignation of President Shahabuddin as their primary focus. 

Later at night, the protesters marched towards the Banga Bhaban where they met with barricades set up by the army. Despite facing roadblocks, they continued to gather outside the palace, chanting slogans calling for the president to step down. “The President is a crony of Hasina’s authoritarian government. He must resign immediately”, a protester was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Mohammed Shahabuddin, also known as Chuppu, is the 16th President of Bangladesh. A jurist, civil servant and politician, he was elected unopposed in the 2023 president election in the nomination of the Awami League. The Anti-discrimination Student Movement has also demanded the abolition of the constitution written in 1972 and asked for writing a new constitution in the context of 2024.

Five Key demands of protesters

1. Abolishment of constitution written in 1972: The Anti-discrimination Student Movement demands for  the abolition of the constitution written in 1972 and called for a writing of a new constitution in the context of 2024.
2. Ban on Bangladesh Chatra League (BCL): Protesters are demanding banning of the Awami League’s student organization Bangladesh Chatra League, which they accuse of perpetuating political violence and authoritarian control
3. Resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin: The protesters have also asked for the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. They have said that the election held in 2024, 2018 and 2024 under Sheikh Hasina must be declared illegal and Members of Parliament who secured win in these elections should be disqualified.
4. Disqualification of MPs elected in Recent Elections: The protests insisted the parliamentary elections held in 2014, 2018 and 2024 under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership be declared illegal and MPs elected under those periods should be disqualified.
5. Proclamation of a New Republic: Protesters want a fresh proclamation of the Republic to keep in the spirit of the July-August uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster earlier this year.

Bangladesh former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation as PM on August 5, followed by the establishment of an interim government. Hasina, 76, fled to India on August 5 and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed. On August 8, Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government.

(With ANI Inputs)