Tensions erupt in Bangladesh as protestors seek President's resignation over Hasina comments

In a televised address on the night of August 5, Shahabuddin claimed that he had received Hasina's resignation letter, a statement he made in the presence of top military officials.

Hundreds of demonstrators, on Tuesday, attempted to storm the presidential palace in Dhaka, demanding the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The unrest was sparked by Shahabuddin's recent remarks in an interview with the Bangla daily Manab Zamin, where he claimed he lacked documentary evidence of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation prior to her departure from Bangladesh on August 5 amid widespread student-led protests.

Footage from the scene showed protesters clashing with police, who attempted to block their entry into the Bangabhaban. The situation escalated when police resorted to firing sound grenades, leading to army troops intervening to assist law enforcement.

According to the Bangladeshi daily The Business Standard, hospital sources reported that two individuals were shot by security forces trying to prevent protesters from breaching the palace's barricades, while a third sustained injuries from a sound grenade used to disperse the crowd.

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement, which played a pivotal role in Hasina's ousting, held a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar, where they demanded Shahabuddin’s resignation and established a seven-day deadline for him to step down. They outlined a five-point agenda that includes the abolition of Bangladesh's 1972 Constitution, which they argue has facilitated Shahabuddin's presidency.

One of the movement's coordinators, Hasnat Abdullah, highlighted the need to replace the 1972 Constitution with a new one, reflective of the ongoing political upheaval. He warned that protests would escalate if the government did not comply with their demands within the week.

Various other groups joined the protests alongside the Anti-discrimination Student Movement at significant locations, including Dhaka University and the presidential palace.

Asif Nazrul, a law affairs adviser in Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, accused Shahabuddin of “falsehood,” suggesting that his comments constituted a breach of his oath of office. He stated that if Shahabuddin continued to deny the validity of Hasina's resignation, he could face accusations of dishonesty.

In a televised address on the night of August 5, Shahabuddin claimed that he had received Hasina's resignation letter, a statement he made in the presence of top military officials. Nazrul pointed out that if Shahabuddin later denied receiving the letter, it would cast doubt on his credibility.

Following the protests, Nazrul and Nahid Islam, an adviser from the information ministry and a leader in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, met with Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. Speculation surrounds this meeting, suggesting discussions on potential actions regarding the president's position.

Constitution expert Shahdhin Malik commented on the parliamentary authority to impeach the president, noting that the interim government might act outside legal frameworks given the current chaotic political climate. He also mentioned that the ongoing debate over Hasina's resignation letter is unnecessary, given the context of the interim government's formation based on a Supreme Court ruling.

The Bangabhaban released a statement urging the public not to stir controversy over what they consider a "settled issue," asserting that the questions surrounding Hasina's departure and the legitimacy of the interim government have been addressed by the Supreme Court.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus became Bangladesh's interim government's Chief Adviser on August 8, following Hasina's flight to India three days earlier amidst the escalating protests.(With inputs from agencies)