Bangladesh’s Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan resigned on Saturday amid ongoing protests in Dhaka. This development was confirmed by Aisf Nazrul, the acting minister of law, justice, and parliamentary affairs in the interim government.
The resignation follows mounting pressure from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which has been at the forefront of the protests demanding the resignation of Chief Justice Hassan and other judges of the Appellate Division. Protesters had set a deadline of 1 PM on Saturday, warning of escalated actions if their demands weren’t met.
These protests are part of a broader wave of unrest sweeping across Bangladesh over recent weeks, leading to significant political changes, including the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Central to the protests is the call for quota reform, particularly against a system that reserved 30 percent of government positions for veterans of the Bangladesh Liberation War and their descendants.
Former Prime Minister Hasina, facing allegations of human rights violations and corruption, fled to India as the protests escalated, resulting in over 100 casualties among protesters and law enforcement personnel. These events have prompted considerable political and judicial upheaval in the nation.
Nazrul indicated that Chief Justice Hassan’s resignation is a significant but initial step, as the interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, works to stabilize the country. Calls for further judicial resignations are ongoing as Bangladesh’s legal and political landscapes continue to evolve amidst these significant changes. For further details, visit the full report.