The United States Department of State strongly rejected the allegations of the government’s involvement in former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, terming them ‘laughable’ and ‘absolutely false’ claims. “That’s laughable. Any implication that the United States was involved in Sheikh Hasina’s resignation is absolutely false,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State, Vedant Patel, said in a press briefing on Tuesday (local time).
Patel further said that a lot of disinformation has been seen in recent weeks regarding the current happenings in Bangladesh.
“We have seen a lot of disinformation in recent weeks and we were made incredibly committed to strengthening information and integrity across the regional ecosystem, especially our partners in South Asia,” he said.
Recently, in an interview with ANI, Michael Kugelman, a US -based Foreign Policy expert, and Director of the South Asia Institute at The Wilson Center, refuted allegations of foreign interference behind the mass uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, stating he had Not seen any ‘plausible evidence’ to support these claims.
He noted that the Hasina government’s harsh crackdown on protesters escalated the movement. “My view has been very simple. I see this as a crisis that was driven by purely internal factors, by students who were unhappy about a particular issue, job quotas that they didn’t like and they were worried about the government. Sheikh Hasina’s The government cracked down very hard on the students and that then turned the movement into something much bigger,” Kugelman said.
Kugelman dismissed allegations from Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who claimed foreign interference behind the protests, saying that the unrest was driven by “internal factors.”
“Now, you know, when there is a conspiracy theory that is rooted in issues of foreign influence, one cannot disprove such type of allegation. Also, at the same time, one cannot conclusively prove it. I think the onus, is the responsibility to provide a plausible explanation for how it can be true. I am yet to hear that from Sheikh Hasina’s son, from anyone,” he added.
Bangladesh has been witnessing a fluid political situation ever since protests started across the country, leading to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation from the post of Prime Minister on August 5. The protests, led mainly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, evolved into anti-government demonstrations.
A large number of people protested outside the White House in Washington on Friday last week against alleged violence targeting minority Hindus and others in Bangladesh since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.
Protesters carried American and Bangladeshi flags and held posters demanding that Bangladeshi minorities be “saved.” They chanted slogans of “We want justice” and called for peace amid the recent surge in violence.
DHAKA: Days after the resignation of the Bangladesh Bank governor, two deputy governors and the head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (BFUI) have resigned following the directives from the interim government, a media report said on Monday. Additionally, an advisor to the central bank has also submitted his resignation to the governor, The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.
On Friday, Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder tendered his resignation, citing personal reasons. His resignation was part of a broader wave of departures from various institutions of the country following the recent fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. It was reported that the Ministry of Finance informed them on Sunday that they must submit their resignation letters by 1 pm on Monday, the report said.
Following this directive, deputy governors Kazi Saidur Rahman and Md Khurshid Alam submitted their resignation letters in the morning. Masud Biswas, the head of the BFIU, the government agency responsible for investigating money laundering and suspicious transactions, also submitted his resignation to the secretary.
Similarly, Bangladesh Bank’s advisor, Abu Farah Md Nasser, submitted his resignation to the governor. After the ouster of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5 following widespread protests over a controversial quota system in jobs, a group of agitated officials and employees demanded the resignation of the central bank’s governor, four deputy governors and the head of the BFUI. during a protest march last week.
At one point, the protesters entered the governor’s floor in the central bank’s main building and forced one of the deputy governors to sign on a blank sheet of paper, the newspaper reported. The others were forced to leave. Since then, they have not returned to the bank. On Monday, they officially submitted their resignation letters to the government, the report said.
The protesting officials claimed that these top officials of Bangladesh Bank were responsible for irregularities and corruption in the banking sector. Last Thursday, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took oath as the head of an interim government replacing Hasina. A 16-member council of advisors was announced to assist Yunus in running the state’s affairs.
COOCH BEHAR: The BSF averted an infiltration bid when thousands of residents from Bangladesh gathered along the Indo-Bangladesh border at Cooch Behar raising slogans and tried to enter the Indian side on Friday morning. Ikramul Haque, a local from Pathantuli in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar, West Bengal said, “Around 9-9.30 am, a few people from Bangladesh gathered at the border and tried to infiltrate into India. Many of them are still there. The crowd has thinned out a little now, though. Their arrival in India all of a sudden is not possible. There is a protocol for it. There is a large presence of the BSF.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a committee that is to be headed by the ADG, Border Security Force, Eastern Command to monitor the current Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) situation. In a letter dated August 9, Under Secretary to the Govt of India Smitha Viju said, “It has been decided to constitute a Committee consisting of the following members for the above-mentioned subject a. ADG, BSF, Eastern Command as the Chairman, b. IG, BSF Frontier HQ South Bengal, c. IG, BSF Frontier HQ Tripura, d. Member (Planning and Development), LPAI and e. Secretary, LPAI.”
The office memorandum further stated that the the above committee will maintain communication channels with their counterpart authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Indian citizens and people belonging to minority communities in Bangladesh. The Additional Director General of BSF, Eastern Command, is the chairman of the five-member Committee.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also made the announcement through a post on X and informed that the committee has been constituted to monitor the current situation on the India-Bangladesh border. “In the wake of the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, the Modi government has constituted a committee to monitor the current situation on the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB). The committee will maintain communication channels with their counterpart authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals, Hindus, and other minority communities living there. The committee will be headed by the ADG, Border Security Force, Eastern Command,” Shah posted on X.
The swearing-in ceremony of the Bangladesh interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has taken place. Notably, no representatives from Sheikh Hasina’s party, the Awami League, were present. As Bangladesh gears up for a major change, concerns have been raised in India about the future of the neighboring country and the ties the two nations share. According to experts, with the exit of Sheikh Hasina, there can be a distinct shift in the relations between the two countries, with many claiming that it might not be positive. As seen in Sri Lanka and Nepal, Bangladesh might prioritize China and the West more.
‘People Of India And Bangladesh Don’t Have Issues With Each Other, But…’
While Sheikh Hasina has often been described as a “good friend of India,” the country’s relationship with BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) – the chief rival to Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League – has been less than friendly. Political analysts point at anti-India activities that grew significantly during BNP’s rule. And now Gayeshwar Roy, a senior leader of Khaleda Zia’s party, has been in conversation with The Times Of India and has clearly expressed his concerns about India’s support of Sheikh Hasina.
While agreeing that India and Bangladesh’s relationship should be based on cooperation, BNP’s Gayeshwar Roy told the Times Of India, “if you help our enemy then it becomes difficult for that mutual cooperation to be honoured.” Roy further added, “Sheikh Hasina’s liability is being borne by India… Indian and Bangladesh people don’t have issues with each other. But should India promote one party and not the entire country?”
Bangladesh’s New Interim Government: List Of Members
Meanwhile, the members of Bangladesh’s newly-formed interim government include:
– Muhammad Yunus: Chief Advisor – Salehuddin Ahmed: Economist and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank – Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain: Former Election Commissioner – Md Nazrul Islam (Asif Nazrul): Academic and legal expert – Adilur Rahman Khan: Human rights activist – AF Hassan Ariff: Legal expert and former Attorney General – Md Touhid Hossain: Diplomat and former Foreign Secretary – Syeda Rizwana Hasan: Environmental lawyer and activist – Supradip Chakma: Advocate for Indigenous rights – Farida Akhter: Women’s rights activist – Bidhan Ranjan Roy : Educator – Sharmeen Murshid: Civil society leader – AFM Khalid Hossain: Cultural activist – Farooq-e-Azam: Business leader – Nurjahan Begum: Advocate for gender equality – Nahid Islam: Social worker – Asif Mahmud: Youth leader
Days after Sheikh Hasina resigned as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami are set to form an interim government which will work on the aid and advice of the social entrepreneur, banker, economist and civil society leader Muhammad Yunus. The former MD of the Grameen Bank has reportedly agreed to head the interim government. Muhammad Yunus will serve as the chief advisor of the interim government, according to a press release from Bangabhaban yesterday. The decision followed a meeting on the formation of the interim government between key organizers of the anti-discriminatory movement and President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The heads of the three armed forces also attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, it has been decided that the national elections will be held in Bangladesh after three months, once the situation returns to normal in the protest-hit nation. It’s not clear whether Hasina’s Awami League will participate in the polls or get banned by the interim government. Since Hasina is likely to retire, it will be important to see who will head the Awami League after her.
Meanwhile, the BNP will be holding a show of strength rally today in which former PM and party chief Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman, who is also the vice chairman of the BNP, will take part in the rally.
Since the Hasina government banned the Jamaat-e-Islami in 2013, the Islamic party is likely to see its status restored and may participate in the upcoming general elections. The Jamaat-e-Islami, founded in 1975, is one of the largest Islamist parties in the country. It has previously formed alliances with the BNP.
Meanwhile, the unrest continues in Bangladesh with radical Islamic protesters not only attacking the Hindu minorities but also destroying the government properties. Those affected by violence are gathering near the India-Bangladesh border to enter Indian territory. The Border Security Force is on high alert and has been ordered to let people in only after thorough verification of the documents.
Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Sheikh Hasina, on August 5, tendering her resignation from her post in the wake of mounting protests. The protests, led mostly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests.
Mumbai: The stock of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company Marico Ltd slumped nearly 5 per cent on Tuesday amid the political unrest in Bangladesh as the neighbouring country contributes almost 11 per cent of its consolidated business.
The company’s stock was trading around Rs 640 a piece (down 4.9 per cent) during the day trading.
Marico Bangladesh Ltd clicked Rs 1,103 crore in revenue in the last fiscal (FY24), making up 11 per cent of Marico’s consolidated revenue. For international business on a standalone basis, Bangladesh contributes around 44 per cent of the total revenue.
Marico’s net profit in the April-June quarter went up 8.7 per cent (year-on-year) to Rs 474 crore.
The shares have gone up 12.89 per cent in the last 12 months and 17.78 per cent on a year-to-date (YTD) basis.
In its April-June quarter result, the company said it aims to bring down the contribution from Bangladesh to less than 40 per cent by the end of fiscal 2027.
In Q1 FY25, Bangladesh registered 10 per cent CCG (constant currency growth) as the business stayed resilient and sustained its momentum for Marico.
The company said that the international business has grown from strength to strength in the face of transient macroeconomic and currency devaluation headwinds in select regions.
“While Bangladesh and Vietnam have led from the front, the strong growth momentum in the MENA and South Africa businesses has visibly strengthened the broad-based construct and offers margin upside over the medium term,” Marico said in its quarterly results.
This resulted in visible geographical diversification in the overall international business, reflecting in the reducing revenue dependence on Bangladesh business.
The company said it will aim to maintain the double-digit constant currency growth momentum over the medium term.
The FMCG volume trends in India continued to exhibit gradual improvement on a 2-year CAGR basis, with the trajectory in rural areas bearing more promise, while urban was stable.
Bangladesh Quota Protest: Amid violent protests calling for her resignation, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has departed the capital, Dhaka and reportedly landed in Agartala to escape threat to her life. “She and her sister have left Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister’s official residence, for a safer location,” a source informed AFP. As per reports, Hasina wanted to record a video statement but did not get time as lakhs of protesters marched towards the Prime Minister’s official residence.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman has confirmed the military coup in a press conference and announced the formation of an interim government to restore law and order in the country. He has appealed to the public to keep faith in the military and to stay peaceful.
“PM Hasina has resigned, interim government to run the country. We will return peace to the country. We ask citizens to stop violence. We will investigate all killings that have happened over the past few weeks,” says Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-uz. -Zaman
“The economy is suffering, and civil society members were present at the meeting held here. We have come here, and there was no one from the Awami League. The army will work to maintain peace, and I have ordered the army and police not We will try to find a solution by tonight. Students also have a role to play, he added.
According to reports, the Bangladeshi Army chief earlier asked her to resign from the post. Around 20 lakh people were marching towards her palace in Dhaka amid the violent unrest. Minutes after she fled Dhaka, protesters stormed her residence and were seen carrying out vandalism. Protesters opened the gates of the Gono Bhaban (PM’s residence) and entered the premises of the prime minister’s residence around 3:00pm today. The reservation protest has been going on for over a month in Bangladesh.
Watch – PM Hasian Flees In Helicopter
#BreakingNews: Army chief’s meeting with leaders of all parties in Bangladesh, will address the nation shortly#BangladeshViolence #Bangladesh #SheikhHasina #BangladeshNews | @Chandans_live @gauravrajguptaa pic.twitter.com/yDjszlUVu2 — Zee News (@ZeeNews) August 5, 2024
A senior official from the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, who requested anonymity, told ANI earlier today, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the official residence in Dhaka after violence erupted. Her current whereabouts are unknown. The situation in Dhaka is highly sensitive, and the Prime Minister’s residence is under siege by a mob.”
Protests that began last month against civil service job quotas have escalated into some of the worst unrest of Prime Minister Hasina’s 15-year rule, expanding into broader calls for the 76-year-old leader to step down. The protest did not stop even after the country’s court slashed the quoa to 15%.
As per reports, it was claimed that the Opposite BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) collaborated with Pakistan’s ISI to create chaos and dethrone Hasian, who has been considered pro-India while Zia is termed pro-Pakistan. The nation following the death of 98 people in intense clashes yesterday, bringing the total death toll to over 300 since the protests began last month.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced a nationwide curfew on Friday following the deadly clashes over the allocation of government jobs. The troops have been stationed in large numbers to restore law and order across the country. As per reports, at least 105 people have been killed so far and over 1,500 have been injured in the protests that took a bloody turn this week. By 8 p.m. on Friday, a total of 245 Indians, among them 125 students, had returned to India.
Protesters are calling for the abolition of a quota system that allocates up to 30% of government jobs to relatives of veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.
A senior official from the home department reported that 363 individuals entered Meghalaya via the Dawki Integrated Check Post, including 204 Indians, 158 Nepalese, and one person from Bhutan. The total number of people taking refuge in the state increased to over 670.
Police and security officials used live ammunition and tear gas on protesters in Dhaka on Friday, while also imposing a ban on all gatherings in the capital.
The demonstrators believe the system is unfair and mostly helps supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party, which led the independence movement. They want it changed to a system based on merit.
The protests, which started weeks ago, escalated significantly this week, presenting the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she secured her fourth consecutive term in January’s elections. These polls were boycotted by major opposition groups.
According to an Associated Press’ reporter, border guard officials were firing at a crowd of over 1000 protestors as they gathered outside the national television broadcaster’s office and set the building on fire.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is working with local Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of students wishing to travel to India. The mission, along with the BSF and the Bureau of Immigration, is also assisting Indian students returning from Bangladesh. “The High Commission of India in Dhaka is coordinating with local authorities in Bangladesh to provide adequate security to students who are keen on travelling to India,” sources told ANI.
To assist the return of Indian citizens and students from Bangladesh, the Indian government has designated three border crossings: Benapole-Petrapole, Gede-Darshana, and Akhaura-Agartala – to remain open for travel.
“We have approximately 8,500 students and about 15,000 Indian nationals residing in the country,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, while assuring Indian citizens’ safety.
Riding high on Corey Anderson and Harmeet Singh’s valiant effort, cricketing upstarts US pulled off a major upset, defeating Bangladesh by 5 wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series here at the Prairie View Cricket Complex. At a time the giants and recognized cricketing nations are gearing up for the highly-anticipated T20 World Cup, which is less than ten days away, the co-hosts of the marquee event pulled off an unprecedented victory over a decidedly stronger and much-fancied Bangladesh side.
After managing to keep Bangladesh to 153/6 in the first innings, the USA gave themselves a platform to bolster their chances of pulling off an upset. The opening pair of Steven Taylor and captain Monank Patel raced to 27 runs in the first three overs.
But Monank (12) got run out at the non-striker’s end. Andries Gous (23) arrived at the crease and scored runs at a brisk pace before losing his wicket to Rishad Hossain. Taylor (28) looked well set for an extended stay on the crease but Mustafizur Rahman got better of the batter.
As the promising-looking chase started to go astray in the middle overs, Anderson and Harmeet raised hopes of a win. Harmeet changed the complexion of the game with back-to-back sixes off Mustafizur in the 17th over.
In the 18th over, Shoriful Islam fell at the receiving end as Harmeet put on a boundary fest. A towering six on the second ball was followed by a boundary on the final delivery. With 14 runs in the over, the equation came down to 24 runs in the final two. Anderson took the mantle of finishing off the game with two sixes and a boundary in the next nine balls. His finishing touches sealed a 5-wicket win for the USA over Bangladesh.
Earlier in the innings, after winning the toss and putting Bangladesh to bat, it was a moderate performance from the visitors. A conservative approach in the powerplay, saw Bangladesh put 37/2 on board. Shakib Al Hasan struggled before getting run out.
Towhid Hridoy (58) starred with the bat on the back of his performance in the recently concluded Zimbabwe series. Mahmudullah led the attack in the death overs. But USA bowlers kept their line and length tight to restrict Bangladesh to 153/6.