Bangladesh’s Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan has agreed to resign “in principle” following mounting pressure from student protesters, according to reports from Jamuna TV. Hassan, who has been in office for just over a year and is known as a supporter of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will formally submit his resignation after a consultation with President Mohammed Shahabuddin later today, The Dhaka Tribune reported.
The unrest began when Hassan called for a full court meeting with all justices from both divisions of the Supreme Court. Students perceived this move as an attempt to consolidate judicial power and responded by laying siege to the High Court premises. The protests intensified, with students demanding Hassan’s resignation. In response to the escalating situation, Hassan postponed the court meeting and subsequently announced his decision to step down.
The protests are part of a larger wave of unrest in Bangladesh, which has seen significant turmoil following Hasina’s departure. In addition to the Chief Justice’s resignation, Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder has resigned, though his resignation is still pending acceptance. The financial sector has also been rocked by corruption allegations, leading to the resignation of several deputy governors.
The ongoing protests have claimed over 450 lives, including many police officers, and have further exacerbated the political crisis in the country. The situation has also led to increased violence against minority Hindu communities, prompting some to flee to neighboring India. The police union has declared a strike, demanding assurances for their safety amidst the ongoing chaos.
In a bid to restore stability, interim leader Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, has called for religious unity and has promised to address the nation’s pressing issues. Yunus, who took on the role after a call from student protesters, faces the challenge of navigating the country through this turbulent period and preparing for upcoming elections.
Sources By Agencies
