China's Role in Bangladesh Protests

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday, concluding a 15-year tenure as protests erupted across the nation, culminating in thousands storming her official residence. Following her departure, Bangladesh's military chief, Gen. Waker-uz-Zaman, announced intentions to form an interim government and pledged to investigate the violent crackdowns that led to at least 95 deaths over the weekend. He urged citizens to remain calm as the military would refrain from using force against demonstrators. The protests, which began in July over a controversial government job quota system, have escalated into widespread unrest, resulting in over 300 fatalities, primarily among civilians. The situation has led to significant disruptions, including the closure of schools and a military-imposed curfew. Hasina, who faced accusations of exploiting her father's legacy for political gain, had previously vowed to investigate the violence but labeled protesters as criminals rather than students. In a twist, Indian intelligence officials have accused China and Pakistan of orchestrating the protests to replace Hasina with a regime more aligned with their interests. They allege that the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, banned for its historical ties to Pakistan, is behind the unrest. Jamaat-e-Islami's leader denied these claims, asserting that the government had suppressed legitimate student movements. As the political landscape shifts, calls for Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to assume leadership have emerged, while the military aims to facilitate free and fair elections in the near future.