Bangladesh President Dissolves Parliament Amid Students Protests

Bangladesh’s President, Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday dissolved parliament, meeting a crucial demand of student protesters who have been at the forefront of demonstrations that led to the ousting of longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina.

According to Channels TV, “The president has dissolved parliament,” Shiplu Zaman, press secretary of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, said in a statement.

The statement also said that Hasina’s arch rival, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister, had been freed from house arrest.

Student protesters had threatened more demonstrations if parliament was not dissolved. The decision was taken following meetings with the heads of defence forces, leaders of political parties, student leaders and some civil society representatives, the presidential statement said.

Hasina’s flight on Monday ended her 15-year second stint in power. She had ruled the country for 20 of the last 30 years, having inherited the political movement of her father, state founder Mujubur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1975.