Amid political unrest in Bangladesh, the protestors have reportedly seiged Banga Bhaban, the presidential palace in Dhaka. They announced a five-point demand including the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, over his recent comments on Ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, among others. The Anti-discrimination Student Movement organized a rally at central Shaheed Minar earlier in the afternoon on Tuesday.

According to ANI, later that night, the group moved towards Banga Bhaban, while the soldiers blocked and placed barricades along the way. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the presidential palace shouting slogans demanding the President’s resignation.

Shahabuddin Comments On Ex-PM

During an interview with the Bangla daily Manab Zamin, Shahabuddin said he lacks documentary evidence of Hasina’s resignation as PM before she fled the country on August 5. ANI quoted one of the protesters saying, “The President is a crony of Hasina’s authoritarian government. He must resign immediately.”

#WATCH | Dhaka: Protesters in Bangladesh sieged Banga Bhaban, the presidential palace, demanding the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, late last night

The army blocked them with the barricade after the protesters took a stand outside Banga Bhaban and started… pic.twitter.com/kqGb7ppcsN

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— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2024

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Calls for Constitutional Reform

The Anti-discrimination Student Movement has demanded the abolition of the 1972 constitution and sought a new constitution to be formed in the context of 2024. Protestors demanded Bangladesh Chatra League, the student organization that supports the Awami League, be banned.

Disqualification Of Recent Elections

They also demanded the elections held in the years 2018 and 2024 under ex-PM Sheikh Hasina be declared illegal. They even called for the disqualification of the Members of Parliament who won in those elections. The protesters want a Proclamation of the Republic should be kept with the spirit of the July-August uprising.

Rise Of Anti-Government Protests

The protests, largely driven by students began after they demanded an end to a quota system in government jobs in July this year. These protests later escalated into wider anti-government protests. Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister on August 5 and an interim government was formed.

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