Bangladesh protests, power cuts, and price hikes challenging rule of PM Sheikh Hasina
- Bangladesh’s main opposition is demanding PM Sheikh Hasina step down amid rising costs of living, power cuts, fuel price hikes, and corruption allegations
- Among the list of demands put forth by protesters is the cancelling the sentencing of opposition party leaders and repealing laws that violate human rights
As Bangladesh’s main opposition party prepares to hold another mass rally this weekend to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, analysts have said competing parties need to work together to oust a government that has ruled with an increasingly iron fist.
Saturday’s march will be the latest anti-government demonstrations that have erupted across the country since September amid rising costs of living, power cuts, fuel price hikes.
But observers suggest these economic setbacks were merely an accelerator of public discontent that had been brewing for years during the rule of Hasina’s Awami League party, which has been swarmed with allegations of financial corruption and criticised for stripping away at the country’s democratic freedoms.
Given the behaviour of the incumbent government and prime minister, they are not going to heed to the demands of the opposition.
The ruling party has repeatedly cracked down on dissent since they took office in 2009 – arresting opposition leaders and using violence, including shooting at protesters.
This appeared to be the case during demonstrations in capital city Dhaka two weeks ago, where tens and thousands of opposition supporters demanded Hasina step down.
The rally was held days after clashes between police and opposition supporters left at least one person dead and injured 50 others.