Bangladesh in pickle over Hasina resignation letter

Did she resign or not before fleeing to India? That is the question Bangladeshis are asking as they seek the removal of President Mohammed Shahabuddin

- Jayanta Roy Chowdhury

A conundrum has emerged in Bangladesh. Even as cyclone Dana approaches it, the general populace of this country of 160 million is more bothered about the political drama which unfolded after President Mohammed Shahabuddin stated in an interview to a local magazine earlier this week that he had never received any resignation letter from Sheikh Hasina.

So far the interim government has encouraged the story that Hasina had resigned before she fled to India, even though her son Sajeeb Wazed ‘Joy’ had denied it through social media posts. Several supposed resignation letters were circulated on social media and quoted by the country’s media on occasion.

Angry interim Ministers on Tuesday came out to give statements against the President, for having stated in his interview that he had no documentary proof of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, calling him a liar and threatening his removal on ground that he may be mad! 

Violent demonstrations, which were possibly organised by pro-regime student bodies, were held the same night, against Shahabuddin, demanding his resignation or removal.

Security forces were forced to do what they could not do in Hasina’s case - fire bullets and use stun grenades - to save Shahabuddin’s palace from being stormed.