Bangladeshi Prime Minister Resigns Following Weeks of Violent Protests

Sheikh Hasina, prime minister of Bangladesh, resigned and fled the country Monday after weeks of deadly anti-government protests.

How It Began: Student groups initiated peaceful protests in July over anger that Bangladesh’s Supreme Court reinstated the job quota system. The quota reserved 30% of government jobs for descendants of veterans who fought in the 1971 War of Independence from Pakistan.

The Response: Human rights groups say the military and police used excessive force against protestors. Protestors say Hasina’s government's response caused the protests to descend into violence. At least 300 people have been killed and thousands have been injured. After the country’s Supreme Court ruled that the quota system must be significantly cut down, people then began  calling for Hasina's resignation. Bangladesh’s army chief said an interim government will be formed and called for citizens to trust the military and promote peace. 

How the Media Covered It: Media from across the spectrum noted that Hasina’s government has been accused of human rights and press freedom violations, rigged elections, forced disappearances and persecuting critics. BBC News (Center bias) reported that Hasina “began her political career as a pro-democracy icon” but became an “autocrat” in recent years, while The Economist (Lean Left) described her as a “dictator.” Sources from the left and center tended to highlight positive reactions to Hasina’s resignation more than right-rated outlets did; NBC News Digital (Lean Left) wrote that it “was met with jubilance.”