Bangladesh coup occurred yesterday evening on the 5th of August 2024. Because of the deteriorating situation and the coup in the neighbouring country Bangladesh, the Central Government of India has also become alert.

Bangladesh has been experiencing significant unrest for the last month. Due to the reinstatement of a job quota system favouring the children of independence war veterans. Initially, it was cancelled in 2018 after large protests. The system was reinstated in June 2024. After the Supreme Court increased the quota from 5% to 30%. This sparked widespread opposition and violence.

The unrest has resulted in over 500 deaths and thousands of injuries. Authorities have imposed nationwide curfews, internet blackouts, and bans on public gatherings to control the situation. Protests have been concentrated in major urban areas like Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rangpur, often involving violent clashes with police.

Sheikh Hasina Resigned

The protesters started demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On this, Sheikh Hasina’s government announced a curfew in Bangladesh till July 20. Due to this, the rioters became more aggressive. In such a situation, the government started arresting and imprisoning the protesters.

After this, the United Nations intervened in this matter and said that the people of Bangladesh should not be tortured. With the support of the UN, the protesters gained more courage and the demonstrations became more intense. They intensified their demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister.

Seeing the situation worsening, Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday evening and left Dhaka and came to India. She resigned and came to India to save her life. Her plane landed at Hindon Air Base of the Air Force in Ghaziabad, UP at 5.30 pm on Monday. Here she was received by the country’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Information has come to light that Sheikh Hasina will take refuge in England after ending her political innings. Sources say that Sheikh Hasina is preparing to go to London. The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has sought asylum from the Government of England.

History of Bangladesh coup

The history of coups in Bangladesh is marked by political instability and military interventions since its independence in 1971. Here is an overview of the major coups and attempted coups in the country’s history:

Bangladesh coup in 1975

1 August 15, 1975, Coup: The first major Bangladesh coup occurred on August 15, 1975. At that time a group of junior army officers assassinated the country’s founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with most of his family members. This coup led to the installation of Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad as the president. This event profoundly affected the nation’s political landscape and set a precedent for future military interventions.

2 November 3, 1975 Jail Killing: Following the August coup, four senior Awami League leaders, who had been arrested, were murdered in Dhaka Central Jail. This was part of a conspiracy to consolidate power among the new rulers.

3 November 7, 1975 Coup: Known as the “Sipahi-Janata Biplob” (Soldiers and People’s Revolution), this coup saw the overthrow of Mushtaq Ahmad by a counter-coup led by Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf. However, within days, Khaled Mosharraf was killed. Afterwards, the army chief, Major General Ziaur Rahman, took control, becoming the de facto leader of Bangladesh.

1981 Coup Attempt

May 30, 1981 Assassination of Ziaur Rahman: President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in Chittagong by a group of army officers led by Major General Manzoor. The coup attempt failed, and Vice President Justice Abdus Sattar took over as acting president. The political environment remained volatile, with numerous uprisings and attempted coups continuing in the background​.

1982 Coup

March 24, 1982: Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad led a bloodless coup, overthrowing the elected president Abdus Sattar. Ershad declared martial law and assumed the presidency, ruling Bangladesh for almost nine years until he was forced to resign in December 1990 due to mass protests and a popular uprising.

Recent Political Instability in Bangladesh due to coup

While there have been no successful coups in recent years, Bangladesh has experienced significant political turmoil, often involving violent protests, hartals (strikes), and confrontations between political parties. The military remains an influential force, with occasional rumours of coups, although none have materialized since Ershad’s ousting.

Yesterday, Bangladesh Army Chief Wakar-uz-Zaman also gave an ultimatum to Sheikh Hasina to resign from the post of PM and leave the country. In such a situation, Sheikh Hasina has resigned from the post of PM and has left the country with her sister Sheikh Rehana and come to India. Minutes after she left Dhaka, protesters attacked her residence and engaged in vandalism. Protesters stormed the gates of the Gono Bhaban (PM’s residence) and entered the premises around 3:00 pm. They started looting the expensive items as well as common things in the PM house.

In such a situation, Bangladesh will now be ruled by the army under the leadership of Waqar-uz-Zaman. As per the media report, Army Chief is going to form the Interim government within 24 to 48 hours. He has called on the public to maintain faith in the military and to remain peaceful. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the head of the navy and air force, and top leaders of several opposition parties, including the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami party, attended the president’s meeting.

According to reports, it was alleged that the Opposition BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) conspired with Pakistan’s ISI to foment unrest and overthrow Hasina, who is considered to be pro-India, while Zia is seen as pro-Pakistan. Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin has ordered the release of jailed former Prime Minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia.

India alert after rebellion in Bangladesh

Given the deteriorating situation and the coup in the neighbouring country Bangladesh, the Central Government has also become alert. The government has issued a special warning for the northeastern states along the border with Bangladesh.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was welcomed by India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior Air Force officials on her arrival at Hindon Air Force Station in Uttar Pradesh. During this, there was a long conversation between Hasina and Doval.

PM Modi chairs key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) over Bangladesh unrest. Foreign Minister Jaishankar, NSA Doval and senior ministers attended this meeting. The Indian government is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Jaishanker informed about the Bangladesh coup in the Rajya Sabha. He further said that they are closely monitoring the situation. Moreover, the government is in contact with Bangladesh Army officials and our diplomates. The High Commission in Dhaka and Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet are there and in contact with Indian nationals.

On the other hand, because of the incident in Bangladesh, the Border Security Force (BSF) has increased vigil on the 4096 km long India-Bangladesh Border. BSF has issued a high alert for all its units. Meanwhile, BSF Acting Director General (DG) Daljit Singh Chaudhary and other senior commanders have reached Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, to review the security situation.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has also released a video saying that we have imposed prohibitory orders on the border from Monday night.

Chief Minister of Bengal Mamta Banerjee agreed to follow the decision by the central government in this regard. Moreover, she requested with hand fold to the leaders not to give controversial statements about the Bangladesh coup.