Most reports suggest that it was triggered by a popular uprising led by students against the 30 per cent reservation in government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 independence war against Pakistan. The opposition, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami, also seems to have played a role in overthrowing Hasina, who was in power for the past 15 years. The army, meanwhile, stayed neutral, refusing to come to the aid of the government. With the prime minister ousted and the parliament dissolved, Bangladesh will be led by an interim government headed by Nobel-winning social entrepreneur and banker Muhammad Yunus.
INTERVIEW MAHFUZ ANAM editor and publisher, The Daily Star
Bangladesh not turning into a fundamentalist country
Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, one of the leading newspapers in Bangladesh, told THE WEEK that despite the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh would not transform into a fundam entalist country. He said Hasina became unpopular as she started manipulating elections and stifling dissent. On ties with India, Anam pointed out that the overall impression in Bangladesh was that New Delhi had been a great supporter of the Hasina government and that it ignored the bigger picture. He wants India to look at the ongoing crisis through the prism of democracy. Edited excerpts from the exclusive interview:
There is an argument that many people in Bangladesh believed that the Sheikh Hasina government was not an elected one because opposition parties boycotted the January elections. Is the crisis a reaction to that?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock