Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan Steps Down
Following the recent ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government, Bangladesh’s Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan has resigned amid escalating protests. The 65-year-old judge made the decision after student protesters began demanding the resignation of all judges, including Hassan. Reports from Bangladeshi media confirmed his resignation on Saturday afternoon.
Protesters Surround Supreme Court
The protests, led by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, intensified on Saturday as hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the Supreme Court. They issued an ultimatum, demanding that Chief Justice Hassan and the Appellate Division judges step down by 1 pm local time. In response to the mounting pressure, Chief Justice Hassan announced his decision to resign, citing concerns for the safety of the judiciary.
Reasons Behind the Resignation
The unrest was triggered by a full-court meeting called by Chief Justice Hassan without consulting the newly formed interim government. Protesters accused the judges of conspiring in favor of the ousted Awami League leader, Sheikh Hasina, leading to widespread outrage. Although the Chief Justice postponed the meeting, the student protests continued, forcing him to announce his resignation.
Army Deployed Amidst Tensions
In response to the growing protests, Bangladesh Army personnel were deployed at the Supreme Court to maintain order. As tensions escalated, the military urged protesters to remain peaceful and avoid damaging government property. The situation at the court remained tense as the resignation process unfolded.
Background on the Unrest
The resignation of Chief Justice Hassan follows the departure of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after resigning from her position as Prime Minister. In her absence, Bangladesh’s Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman took over the administration and established an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The interim government, sworn in on Thursday, is tasked with organizing elections after a month of violent protests over the controversial quota system, which reserves 30% of government jobs for veterans’ families. The unrest has resulted in over 450 deaths and marked the end of Hasina’s autocratic rule.