Protests erupt once again in Bangladesh; protesters siege presidential palace

DHAKA: Protests have once again erupted in Bangladesh where the massive people's movement led to the expulsion of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The protesters, demanding the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, have sieged Banga Bhaban, the presidential palace. However, the protesters were unable to enter the Banga Bhaban as they were blocked by the army using barricades. Reports indicate that a large number of protesters have gathered in front of the building.

The new protest is being led by students and the group that spearheaded the movement to expel Sheikh Hasina. On Tuesday, they announced a 5-point demands, including the resignation of the President, at a rally in Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

Mohammed Shahabuddin, natively known as Chuppu, is the 16th President of Bangladesh. A jurist civil servant and politician, he was elected unopposed in the 2023 presidential election in the nomination of the Awami League.

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement has demanded the abolition of the constitution written in 1972 and called for writing a new constitution in the context of 2024. Students have called for banning Awami League's student organization Bangladesh Chatra League. They have called for the resignation of Mohammed Shahabuddin. They also demanded that the election held in 2024, 2018 and 2024 under Sheikh Hasina must be declared illegal and Members of Parliament who secured the win in these elections should be disqualified. They have called for announcing the Proclamation of the Republic in keeping with sprit of the July-August uprising.

The protests, led majorly by students erupted in Bangladesh in July, demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests.

In the wake of mounting protests, Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation as Bangladesh's PM on August 5, followed by the establishment of an interim government. Hasina 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.