Bangladesh President Dissolves Parliament Following Sheikh Hasina's Ouster

The Bangladesh parliament was dissolved on Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country. Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin made the crucial move as student protesters set a deadline to dissolve the parliament. At the same time, the president's office also reportedly informed that Begum Khaleda Zia, the former prime minister, had been freed from house arrest. 

Student protesters had threatened more demonstrations if parliament was not dissolved. The decision was taken following meetings with the heads of defence forces, leaders of political parties, student leaders, and some civil society representatives, the statement from the president's office said, as quoted by Reuters. Notably, student leaders also demanded that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus be named chief adviser of the new interim government. Muhammad Yunus, a long-time critic of Sheikh Hasina, has been charged by the Awami League government in over 190 cases.

The Bangladesh president ordered Khaleda Zia's release from the house arrest shortly after Sheikh Hasina stepped down as Prime Minister. Khaleda Zia, the country's first female prime minister, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for corruption in 2018. The 79-year-old served as Bangladesh prime minister from 1991-1996 and later from 2001-2006. 

Protesters have announced that they will not accept any government unless it is made up of candidates recommended by them, reported Independent. Following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, the army chief general announced that an interim government would be formed. Sheikh Hasina, who landed in India yesterday, is still in the country. It is worth mentioning that there is uncertainty over her plans to travel to the UK. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired an all-party meeting earlier in the day and briefed about the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar said the border guarding forces are on alert.