Prime Minister flees to India, seeking asylum
On Monday, August 5, hundreds of violent protesters stormed and ransacked the official residence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India seeking asylum. The protesters defied a military curfew in the capital, entering Ganabhaban Palace and vandalizing furniture, glass panels, books, and other items in response to recently announced government job quotas.
Scenes of looting and destruction
In scenes reminiscent of the recent upheaval in Sri Lanka, where protesters stormed the presidential palace, Bangladeshi demonstrators were seen looting Hasina’s residence. Videos on social media showed people taking away chicken, fish, goat, vegetables, and furniture. Some protesters were seen lying on Hasina’s bed and swimming in her pool. They also rampaged through symbols of Hasina’s rule, including busts of her father, the creator of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Background of the unrest
The storming of Hasina’s residence followed weeks of violent demonstrations and clashes with security forces. Initially, peaceful protests against public sector job quotas, which reserved 30 percent of positions for families of 1971 War of Independence fighters, erupted into violence. Clashes between protesters, police, and pro-government activists at Dhaka University marked the escalation.
On August 5, thousands of protesters marched towards the capital, demanding Hasina’s resignation. This followed a deadly clash on August 4, where over 100 people were killed in confrontations between pro-government supporters and opposition groups. Hasina’s departure prompted jubilant celebrations in the streets of Bangladesh as citizens marked her fall from power.