Summary
Bangladeshis are waiting to see what unfolds, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country
Parliament was dissolved on Tuesday - a key demand of student protest leaders, who have also said they will not accept a military-led government
The country's army chief has promised an interim government and said new elections will be announced
Huge crowds stormed Hasina's official residence in Dhaka on Monday, and there was looting and disorder in the capital, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 people - overtaking Sunday as the deadliest day of violence
Hasina is in India, but it is unclear where she might end up more permanently
The student protests began in July with calls to abolish civil service job quotas, but spiralled into demands for Hasina to quit after 15 years in power
Live Reporting
Edited by Flora Drury and Jamie Whitehead
Bangladesh awaits its futurepublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 6 August
14:19 BST 6 August
Flora Drury
BBC Asia online deskWe are pausing our coverage of events in Bangladesh for today, withthe country waiting to see what will happen next.
With parliament dissolved, the way is clear for an interimgovernment to be declared. But as yet, no announcements have been made.
Among civilians, our reporters found optimism mixed with anxietyover the future.
Meanwhile, the future of Sheikh Hasina - the 76-year-old formerprime minister who fled Bangladesh for India on Monday - remains unclear.
Thank you for joining us. Today's coverage was bought to you byYvette Tan, Annabelle Liang, Gavin Butler, Kelly Ng, Jaroslav Lukiv, SoutikBiswas, Vikas Pandey, Meryl Sebastian, Geeta Pandey, Lana Lam, Lipika Pelham,Jamie Whitehead and me.
You can read more on this story here.
Recapping an historic few days in Bangladeshpublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 6 August
14:00 BST 6 August
Image source, Getty ImagesThanks for staying withus today as we brought you the latest from Bangladesh - a country thrown intouncertain turmoil by its leader Sheikh Hasina fleeing in the wake of a violent crackdown onprotesters which has left hundreds dead in recent weeks
Here are a few of the key developments from Tuesday:
- The president has dissolved parliament, paving the way for an interimgovernment to take power - a key demand of student protest leaders
- Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus says he is happy to take up a role as chief adviser to an interim government if asked - another of the students' demands
- However, exactly what form the new interim government will take - and who it will be made up of - remains to be seen, the army had said this would be announced yesterday, it wasn't
- Meanwhile, key political opponents - including former prime minister and opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia - have started to be released from prison
- And the country's police association has announced a strike, saying they were forced to fire at protesters
- And across the border in India, Sheikh Hasina's future is looking unclear. India's foreign minister confirmed today that the woman who woke up as prime minister of Bangladesh yesterday landed in Delhi on Monday night. She is expected to stay "for the moment", he added
There's plenty more across the BBC on this story, including this on Bangladesh's uncertain future.
What does this mean for Bangladesh?published at 13:50 British Summer Time 6 August
13:50 BST 6 August
Monday’s events were the culmination of years’ worth ofdiscontent, bringing Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year reign over Bangladesh to a swiftend.
Since 2009, Hasina ruled the country with an iron fist, a reignthat was marked by major economic accomplishments as well as autocracy andauthoritarianism.
Farwa Aamer, a director at the Asia Society Policy Institute,described her resignation a "significant turning point forBangladesh" and a "major development in Asia."
Image source, Getty ImagesShe predicts major foreign policy shifts in the wake of Hasina’s departure, both within Bangladesh andfrom its neighbouring countries - particularly those who viewed her as a keyally.
China and the United States will also be watching closely, sheadds
"The transition period will be crucial, and it remains tobe seen whether order can be maintained without further violence," Aamer says.
"As Bangladesh navigates this turbulent period, all eyeswill be on the army."
"It will be essential to address the underlying causes ofunrest, including economic disparities, political freedoms, and governanceissues.
The future of Bangladeshpolicy should emphasize reconciliation, democratic reforms, and robust economicstrategies to rebuild and strengthen the nation."
Bangladesh has given me everything, says Indian worker who moved therepublished at 13:44 British Summer Time 6 August
13:44 BST 6 August
Vikas Pandey
Reporting from DelhiAn Indian worker who holds a senior role in a Bangladeshi garments factory tells the BBC that he is worried for his family’s safety.
He doesn't want to be named but adds that he has lived in Dhaka for more than 10 years and never had to worry about safety issues.
“I am hoping to get out along with my family as soon as I can. But I do hope to return - my life is here, my career is here. Bangladesh has given me everything,” he says.
He adds that he was a practising Hindu but it never came in the way of his life in Bangladesh.
“Nobody bothered us because of our faith. I am hearing about some Hindu properties being attacked but I am not sure if it’s true.
But my area is peaceful. Many Muslim neighbours have assured us about our safety,” he adds.
Examples of what looks like attacks on Hindus in Bangladeshpublished at 13:34 British Summer Time 6 August
13:34 BST 6 August
We’ve been looking intoreports of alleged attacks on the Hindu community in Muslim-majorityBangladesh.
Multiple posts on X,formerly Twitter, have claimed incorrectly that the house of Liton Das, amember of the Bangladesh cricket team, was set on fire because he was Hindu.
In fact – as local factcheckers have pointed out - the house pictured in the posts belongs to MashrafeBin Mortaza, who is a Muslim and an MP from the ruling Awami League party and former captain of the Bangladeshi national cricket team.
We checked images of thehouse on fire with a picture of the MP’s house from three years ago and it appearsto be a match.
But there have beenexamples of what do look like attacks on Hindus. One video we checked showspeople, claiming to be Hindu, shouting that their homes are being attacked.
A woman seen at onepoint is wearing jewellery typical of Hindu women. One man gives the name ofthe village in the northern region of Bogura, which we located and is in anarea known to have a sizeable Hindu population.
Desperate wait for news as imprisoned activists releasedpublished at 13:21 British Summer Time 6 August
13:21 BST 6 August
Jaroslav Lukiv
Live reporterMore now on Bangladeshi opposition activist and lawyer Ahmad BinQuasem who was released from prison earlier and has since reunited with hisfamily.
In a statement, Quasem's lawyer Michael Polak says: "Therewere many points during his detention that he was feared dead, and theuncertainty was one of the many tools of repression utilised by the regime.
"We hope that the decision…to release political prisonersheld by the previous regime so rapidly is a positive sign of their intentionsgoing forward relating to human rights, and that confirming to other familiesthe status of their loved ones will follow tomorrow, as promised".
Speaking to the BBC, Polak, a barrister at the London-basedChurch Court Chambers, said that "hundreds and hundreds ofindividuals" had been imprisoned in Bangladesh in the past few years.
"Unfortunately, the good news won’t be shared by all,"he says, stating that a number of political prisoners had died in custody.
On Tuesday, at least 20 families of political prisoners gatheredoutside a military intelligence force building in the capital Dhaka, stilldesperately waiting for news about their loved ones, the AFP news agencyreports.
"We need answers," Sanjida Islam Tulee, a co-ordinatorof Mayer Daak (The Call of the Mothers) campaign group, told the news agency.
In pictures: The physical ruins of a fallen governmentpublished at 13:14 British Summer Time 6 August
13:14 BST 6 August
Yesterday’s historicevents saw Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resign from power and fleethe country.
Today, governmentbuildings lie damaged and ransacked after they were stormed by citizens.
Here’s a look at whatthe people of the capital Dhaka woke too this morning.
Image source, EPAImage source, ReutersImage source, Getty ImagesImage source, ReutersHigher Secondary School Certificate exams postponed - local mediapublished at 12:58 British Summer Time 6 August
12:58 BST 6 August
Local media is reporting that Higher Secondary SchoolCertificate (HSC) examinations that were scheduled to start from 11 August havebeen postponed.
The Dhaka Education Board says this is due to exam papers beingdamaged, burnt, or stolen after district police stations - where they were stored- were vandalised by protesters, according to Bengali newspaper, Prothom Alo.
The Education Ministry is expected to announce a new date forexams to start on Wednesday, The Daily Star reports.
We were forced to fire at protesters, says police unionpublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 6 August
12:39 BST 6 August
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) says officerswere “forced to fire” at protesters “even if we were unwilling” and blamed theauthorities for casting them as “villains in front of the people”.
“The state makes laws, we only implement them. We have to obeyorders from senior officers and politicians whether they are legal or illegal,”says the BPSA , which represents thousands of police officers across Bangladesh.
Police say more than 450 police stations were attacked on Mondayfollowing the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a number ofpolice officers were also killed during the protests.
In their statement, the police apologised for what they “had doneto the innocent students", but said they were going on a strike until“every policeman’s security is ensured”.
India has lost a reliable partner in its backyardpublished at 12:21 British Summer Time 6 August
12:21 BST 6 August
Vikas Pandey
India editorImage source, ReutersSheikh Hasina remained steadfast in her pro-India stancethroughout her time as prime minister.
So, it wasn't surprising that Delhi helped her flee Dhaka. Butwith her departure, India has lost a reliable partner in its backyard.
As the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Nepal became closer to China inrecent years, Hasina made sure Delhi had a strong partner on the sub-continent.
She settled border disputes with India, allowed Indian firms toinvest heavily in Bangladesh and made it difficult for anti-India militants totake shelter across the border.
In return, India refrained from joining Western nations incriticising Bangladesh's human rights record.
Now, India has ensured her safety - but it would not want her to stayin the country for very long as it will further antagonise Bangladeshiopposition parties.
Delhi diplomats will now look at strengthening existing channelswith Bangladeshi opposition and military leaders, as well as trying to open newones.
But it's going to be a difficult task as the anger againstHasina will also contribute to anti-India sentiments.
It's a diplomatic battle that India can't afford to lose as itlooks to prevent China from forging a close relationship with yet another SouthAsian country.
I can't refuse 'students who sacrificed so much', says Yunuspublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 6 August
12:06 BST 6 August
Anbarasan Ethirajan
South Asia editor, BBC World ServiceNobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has agreed to a call by students in Bangladesh for him tobe chief adviser to an interim administration promised by the militaryfollowing Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as prime minister.
“When the students who sacrificed so much are requesting meto step in at this difficult juncture, how can I refuse?” Mr Yunus said.
Mr Yunus, who is in Paris at the moment, will head back toDhaka shortly, Lamiya Morshed, the executive directorof the Yunus Centre, told the BBC.
Voices from Dhaka: 'Jubilation but also feeling of uncertainty'published at 11:49 British Summer Time 6 August
11:49 BST 6 August
Soutik Biswas
Reporting from DelhiAvirup Sarkar, who lives in Dhaka, says "there is jubilation of freedom - but also the fear of vandalismand a feeling of uncertainty".
"That is the feeling in Dhaka now," he continues. "There’s a mixed feeling: they [people] are happy that a dictator hasstepped down; and there’s uncertainty about what will happen now.
"The interim government has not been formed, the army has not been fullydeployed in the country, so the law and order situation is making peopleanxious.
"I stepped outside this morning. Traffic is thin. People are scared toget their private cars on the road. Some rickshaws are operating. There are very few private cars.
"I saw army patrol cars in our neighbourhood last night.
"There are no police. They are non-existent. The way the police were attacked yesterday, I’d say they were super patient because if police stationsare attacked they have the right to fire. But they didn’t do it."
India minister says Hasina arrived on 'short notice'published at 11:39 British Summer Time 6 August
11:39 BST 6 August
A picture is starting to emerge of how Sheikh Hasina came to be in Delhi on Monday, with Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar revealing she had made a request to come to India at "very short notice".
"She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi," Jaishankar confirmed in his first public statement since Hasina's resignation.
Exactly when she made that request was not clear.
He also did not elaborate on what the next steps would be, or how long she would be staying in India. He simply said it was "for the moment".
The minister added that India remained "deeply concerned till law and order is restored" in Bangladesh.
"Our border guarding forces have been instructed to be exceptionally alert in view of this complex situation. In the last 24 hours, we have been in touch with authorities in Dhaka," he said.
Bangladesh police go on strike amid safety fearspublished at 11:19 British Summer Time 6 August
11:19 BST 6 August
Image source, BBC / RockyBangladesh's key police association has said its members are going on strike.
"Until the security of every member of the police is secured, we are declaring a strike," the Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) said in a statement.
The BPSA represents thousands of police officers across the country.
It said that more than 450 police stations were attacked on Monday, following the forced resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A number of police officers were also killed during the protests, according to officials.
BBC Bangla had already reported there was no visible presence of traffic police on many roads in the capital Dhaka earlier on Tuesday, with students seen in some areas directing the traffic.
'Ultimatum' of student protesters met, coordinator sayspublished at 10:58 British Summer Time 6 August
10:58 BST 6 August
Image source, FACEBOOK/ReutersBangladesh student protest coordinator Asif Mahmud has cheered the dissolution of parliament, saying an "ultimatum" by students has been met.
Mr Mahmud's post on Facebook has already drawn more than 100,000 likes.
Earlier in the day, he and other student protest leaders warned of "tough steps" if officials failed to meet their demands.
The dissolution paves the way for an interim government to be set up.
Monday becomes deadliest day of protests - local mediapublished at 10:38 British Summer Time 6 August
10:38 BST 6 August
Image source, ReutersMore than 100 people died in Bangladesh in violent clashes across the country, based on figures gathered by local media talking to hospital sources.
This makes it the single deadliest day since mass protests began.
However, police officials have not confirmed Monday's reported death toll.
Overall, more than 400 people are believed to have died during the unrest.
Monday also saw a number of police stations torched, and ex-PM Sheikh Hasina's official residence in the capital Dhaka stormed and looted. Statues of her father were also vandalised.
Bangladesh parliament dissolved - president's officepublished at 10:27 British Summer Time 6 August
10:27 BST 6 AugustBreaking
Bangladesh's parliament has been dissolved, according to a statement from the president's office.
It was a key demand made by student protest coordinators, who had set a deadline of 15:00 local time (09:00 GMT).
Student protesters have said they will not accept a military-led government, and said Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has agreed to be the interim government's chief adviser.
Son of executed Jamaat leader released from detention - lawyerpublished at 10:16 British Summer Time 6 August
10:16 BST 6 August
Image source, @MichaelPolakLaw / XBangladeshi opposition activist and lawyer Ahmad Bin Quasem has been released from detention, his lawyer Michael Polak said in a post on X, external.
Rights groups say Mr Quasem was taken away by security forces in 2016 - one of the hundreds of forced disappearances seen in Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's rule.
Mr Quasem is the son of Mir Quasem Ali, leader of the now-banned Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, whom Bangladesh executed for war crimes.
He has been "released to his family and he is now with them, including his two daughters, one of whom was only one years old when he was abducted", Mr Polak said.
"Thank you for everyone who helped both publicly and behind the scenes," he added.
Since Ms Hasina's resignation, key opposition leader Khaleda Zia has also been released. Ms Zia, a former prime minister of Bangladesh, leads the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Voices in Dhaka: Optimism amid the chaospublished at 09:47 British Summer Time 6 August
09:47 BST 6 August
Kelly Ng
Reporting from SingaporeMedia professor Sumon Rahman describes the chaos near the prime minister's official residence yesterday. He had brought his children there "to see what's happening", he tells the BBC.
"There was a lot of vandalism and people leaving with things like pigeons, small trees, fish. It makes me think they were taken as souvenirs of their win. Nearby was the former residence of the PM’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also founder of our nation. Protesters had burned it down totally," said Dr Rahman, who lectures at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina's reignation was "not surprising but very frustrating", he said. "She left her party and the entire country in a mess."
Still, Dr Rahman said he "believes in the young generation of students" in Bangladesh. " I have been amazed to see how wise they are... So I am optimistic about the future of our country," he said.
Voices from Dhaka: 'A big weight has been lifted from our chest'published at 09:28 British Summer Time 6 August
09:28 BST 6 August
Soutik Biswas
India CorrespondentThis account is from Samiul Haque, a 32-year-old strategic consultant, who says he feels hopeful about the future..
"I feel lighter after waking up in the morning. I feel like I can go to social media and write things about how we can improve Bangladesh and how things can be done better," Mr Haque told the BBC.
He described Ms Hasina's rule as "extremely stifling".
"A big weight has beenlifted from our chest so we can speak about stateissues, about the government," he said.
As the leadership transition begins, Mr Haque is looking forward to the formation of a new government.
But he doesn't believe leaders should emerge from established political factions, such as the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party or the currently banned Islamist movement Jamaat.
"Its important to build new politics from the ground up," Mr Haque said. "Boomers, Gen Z, Gen X and millennials want to see a new Bangladesh. It is time to break out of this two-party system and coalitions."
