Protesters gherao Bangladesh Supreme Court, demand chief justice's resignation
Hundreds of student protesters have surrounded the Supreme Court in Bangladesh, demanding the immediate resignation of all judges, including the Chief Justice. This development comes days after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was compelled to step down due to widespread protests and an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took over. According to local reports, the fresh wave of protests was sparked by a full-court meeting convened by the chief justice without consulting the newly-established interim government.
Protesters allege conspiracy; give Chief Justice one-hour ultimatum
The student protesters called the protest on Facebook after the chief justice convened the full court meeting on Saturday morning. Calling the meeting part of a larger conspiracy, the protesters issued an ultimatum for the chief justice to resign. Youth and Sports Ministry Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, who is also the Anti-discrimination Student Movement coordinator, said, "No conspiracy of a defeated power will be tolerated. Lawyers are already rallying against it."
Another coordinator warns of dire consequences
Another coordinator of the student movement, Hasnat Abdullah, said, "We had already called for the chief justice's resignation. If they take a stance against the students and incite them, they will have to face dire consequences." These fresh protests follow a student-led uprising against a quota system for government jobs that resulted in over 400 deaths.
Hasina faces allegations of murder, forced disappearance, corruption
Hasina, one of Asia's longest-serving leaders, resigned and fled Bangladesh on August 5 under pressure from millions of protesters demanding her resignation. She now faces allegations of murder, forced disappearance, money laundering and corruption. "Hasina must face the law," stated Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a senior member of Bangladesh Nationalist Party. An interim government was appointed in Bangladesh on Thursday. According to the constitution, an election needs to be called within 90 days.
