Staff Reporter :
In a bold demonstration, students and the general public gathered outside Bangabhaban, the official residence of the President, demanding the resignation of President Md. Sahabuddin. The protesters issued a 24-hour ultimatum, warning of escalated action if their demand was not met.
The announcement came at around 4:30 PM on Tuesday, directly outside the gates of the presidential palace. Protesters voiced their dissatisfaction, accusing the President of being aligned with the ruling Awami League and its leader, Sheikh Hasina.
“We do not want Sahabuddin as our President. He is loyal to the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina,” said one of the protest leaders.
They further declared that if the President did not step down within the 24-hour deadline, they would intensify their movement. “If this ultimatum is ignored, we will launch an unstoppable movement,” they warned.
A protester named Bahar Uddin, who had been injured in previous student movements, emphasized the determination of the demonstrators.
“We will not leave the streets until Sahabuddin resigns. He is dishonest and a puppet of the dictatorial Sheikh Hasina. We do not want any ally of an autocrat to hold this office,” he said passionately.
Another protester, Md. Sohag, questioned how long President Sahabuddin could remain in office under such circumstances.
“We will see how long he can stay in the comfort of Bangabhaban while protesters suffer in the streets. This President is nothing more than an Indian agent and a stooge of Sheikh Hasina,” Sohag declared.
Protesters from another group, rallying under the banner of ‘Inqilab Manch,’ also called for Sahabuddin’s immediate resignation, echoing the urgency of the demand.
Security around Bangabhaban has been heightened. Joint Commissioner Md. Faruk Hossain of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) informed the media that additional police forces were deployed to ensure security. “To prevent any untoward incidents, we have stationed a large number of police personnel. Plainclothes detectives, along with local police, are on the scene. Army and RAB personnel are on standby to assist if necessary,” he added.
Meanwhile, a related protest took place at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar, where students gathered to demand both the President’s resignation and a ban on the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the Awami League.
The demonstration, organized by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, began on Monday with a public assembly calling for a ban on the “terrorist Chhatra League” and the resignation of “fascist ally” President Sahabuddin, who is commonly referred to as ‘Chuppu.’
By Tuesday afternoon, the students had intensified their sit-in at Shaheed Minar. Protesters accused Sahabuddin of breaking his oath of office by lying about Hasina’s resignation. Chants against the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, and associated student and youth groups echoed through the protest.
The protest continued as Sarjis Alam, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, arrived at the scene around 3:45 PM, delivering speeches alongside other leaders, denouncing the President and calling for his resignation.
Context of Rising Tensions
This protest follows the events of August 5, when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country amid growing political unrest. Following her departure, President Sahabuddin addressed the nation, stating that Hasina had submitted her resignation, which he claimed to have accepted.
However, in a recent interview with Matiur Rahman, editor of Manabzamin, President Sahabuddin admitted that while he had heard of Hasina’s resignation, he had not received any formal documentation. “Despite my efforts, I was unable to obtain the necessary papers. Perhaps she didn’t have the time,” the President explained. This revelation reignited the anger of the student groups leading the protest.
With tensions high and public outrage intensifying, the next 24 hours could be crucial in determining the future of the presidency and the political climate of the country.