Bangladesh’s Chief Justice agrees to resign amid massive student-led protests: Video
The Chief Justice of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court, Obaidul Hassan, has agreed "in principle" to resign after facing intense pressure from protestors demanding his departure.
Hassan, who assumed the role in 2023 and is perceived as loyal to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, announced on Saturday, August 10, as reported by AFP.
The decision follows an ultimatum issued by hundreds of student protestors who gathered outside the Supreme Court in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to call for his resignation. The demonstrators accuse Hassan of backing the government during a time of widespread unrest and dissatisfaction.
“After all those injustices, the Chief Justice kept supporting the government, he even stood against us, he was against the protesters. Now that he fled, he resigned, we are so happy. Because though he is a Chief Justice, he was capable of being a mere advocate. If Bangladesh had democracy, he wouldn’t have been able to enter the High Court premises," said 26-year-old student protester Armanul Haque.
Another protester, Reza E Rabbi shared the same sentiment, stating, "We don’t accept any sort of fascist regime. Finally, we already saw that the Chief Justice already resigned because of our movement. So to every single fascist, every single autocrat, just see the example. We are here. We are here anytime, we are awake all the time, day and night. Every day we will be on the road until you resign."
The protests, initially sparked by opposition to government job quotas, have since evolved into a broader movement demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. The 76-year-old former prime minister fled the country on Monday, August 5, amid escalating demonstrations that have left the nation in turmoil. Her sudden departure has left her cabinet ministers in disarray, with many going into hiding.
In response to the crisis, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, renowned for his pioneering work in microfinance, is now leading a transitional government—a key demand from the student leaders driving the protests.
