Political Tension in Bangladesh Escalates Amid Calls for President’s Resignation

Political tension surged in Bangladesh as the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement demanded President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s resignation over comments questioning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s August resignation, The Associated Press reported yesterday.

Protests erupted in Dhaka, with hundreds attempting to storm the presidential palace, prompting police to use stun grenades for crowd control.

Shahabuddin claimed he had not seen Hasina’s resignation letter, contradicting his earlier statements. His remarks angered the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who took power after Hasina’s resignation amid a student-led uprising. Under the constitution, only parliament can impeach the president, raising concerns about a potential constitutional crisis.

In a related move, the Ministry of Home Affairs banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League, Hasina’s student wing, citing involvement in subversive activities. Hasina remains in India, while the Yunus-led government plans to seek her return to face alleged crimes against humanity.