Jaishankar says Sheikh Hasina 'is in shock', to address Parliament on Bangladesh unrest at 3.30pm

Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year tenure as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister came to a dramatic end on August 5 as she fled the country amidst severe unrest.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar convened an all-party meeting Tuesday morning to discuss the Bangladesh crisis. The meeting was attended by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge.

Jaishankar said the government is in a wait-and-watch mode, but hands-on and in touch with the Bangladesh Army. He said Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India is a courtesy move to ensure she settles down, recovers, and feels comfortable enough to discuss her plans.

Noting that it has not even been 24 hours since Hasina arrived in India, he said she is in a state of shock and the government is giving her time to recover before it speaks to her over various issues, including her future plans, the sources said.

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram stated that the government briefed an all-party meeting on the situation in Bangladesh. He added, “The Congress party is fully with the government as far as national security and national interest are concerned,” in a statement to PTI.

Meanwhile, the C-130J transport aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force took off from Hindon Air Base Tuesday morning around 9 am and is en route to its next destination. Indian security agencies are closely monitoring the flight, as per sources, reported ANI. As per sources, Sheikh Hasina is not on the C-130J transport aircraft. The aircraft, carrying seven military personnel, is en route back to its base in Bangladesh, reported ANI.

Also,  Bangladesh's parliament was dissolved, the president's office said in a statement on Tuesday.

Early in the day, Students Against Discrimination coordinators Mo. Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, and Abu Bakr Mazumdar announced through a video statement that Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus will serve as the Chief Advisor to a proposed interim government in Bangladesh.

The student leaders stated that after 24 hours of deliberation, they have outlined this interim government due to the urgent situation. Dr. Yunus has agreed to take on this role, responding to the student community's call. The students also urged President Mohammad Shahabuddin to quickly establish this interim government and promised to reveal the names of additional members by morning, seeking to see the government formation process completed promptly.

The Nobel laureate, on August 5, hailed Bangladesh’s newfound freedom following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and flight from the country. Yunus, who spoke to ThePrint, described the nation as “liberated” from what he called Hasina’s dictatorial rule. He criticised Hasina for undermining the legacy of her father, ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and portrayed her regime as oppressive and controlling.

Yunus, renowned for his work in microfinance which has helped lift many out of poverty, also accused Hasina of sabotaging her father’s legacy. Despite being targeted with over 190 legal cases by Hasina’s Awami League government, Yunus maintained his stance, reflecting on the significant political shift in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year tenure as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister came to a dramatic end on August 5 as she fled the country amidst severe unrest. The military has announced the formation of an interim government following a violent weekend that resulted in nearly 100 deaths.

The unrest, which began with protests over job quotas and escalated into widespread calls for Hasina’s resignation, reached a tipping point with violent clashes on August 4. General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the chief of Bangladesh's army, declared Hasina's resignation in a national broadcast and stated that the military would establish a caretaker government to restore order.

On August 5, Dhaka saw chaotic scenes, with crowds storming Hasina’s official residence, looting, and even setting fire to symbols of her administration. At least 66 more deaths were reported as gangs targeted allies of Hasina’s Awami League party, and revenge attacks were launched across the city.

The violence extended to other government buildings and police stations. Mobs ransacked and torched property associated with Hasina's rule, including media outlets, statues of her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and a museum dedicated to him. Protesters expressed their discontent, with some calling Hasina’s ousting a form of liberation.

Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin has ordered the release of those detained during the protests, including former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Hasina, aged 76, reportedly left Bangladesh by helicopter and is believed to have landed at a military airbase near New Delhi. There were earlier plans for her to transit to London, though this is uncertain due to a UN-led investigation into the violence.

International reactions have called for a peaceful and democratic transition. The United States and the European Union have urged restraint and the need for an orderly transition, while the UN Secretary-General has called for a thorough investigation into the violence.

The United States has issued a 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' advisory for Bangladesh following the resignation and departure of former PM Hasina. The US State Department, on August 6, advised American citizens against traveling to Bangladesh and also recommended that non-emergency US government employees and their families leave the country.

The unrest, which initially began as student-led protests against job quotas, has resulted in at least 366 deaths since it started. The military’s response has been characterised by restraint compared to past crackdowns, but many police officers have been targeted in the recent violence.