3 weeks ago
After president, Bangladesh army chief faces heat over Hasina links
In Bangladesh, there was a big leader named Sheikh Hasina who used to be the Prime Minister.
Two years ago, she had to leave the country very quickly, and her government fell.
Now, people who were close to her are having big problems.
The former President of Bangladesh, whose name is Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu, quit his job as President.
He said it was because of his health, but many news reports say he was forced to quit because people thought he was still friendly with Hasina.
Some people said he talked to Hasina on the phone, but he said that was completely false.
Recently, Hasina talked to reporters for the first time since she left and said she wants to come back to Bangladesh.
Now everyone is asking if the Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, will lose his job too, because he was chosen by Hasina and is even related to her.
Some people think the Army Chief betrayed Hasina by not protecting her, while others think he is too close to her.
The whole country is watching to see what will happen next.
Former Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu resigned on 24 July, two years before his tenure ended, officially citing bad health but amid allegations of political pressure.
Ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held her first press conference since leaving Bangladesh in New Delhi, saying she would return to Bangladesh regardless of the consequences.
Attention has now turned to Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, a Hasina appointee and distant relative, with questions over whether PM Tarique Rahman's government will replace him.
Hasina's former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal alleged Waker promised to stop the mob from entering Hasina's official residence but went back on his word, forcing her to flee to India.
The Bangladesh Army under Waker is reported to be shifting toward Islamist alignment, including a new battalion named after the first four Caliphs and a battle cry change from Joy Bangla to Allahu Akbar.
- Who
- Ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former President Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, and the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman
- What
- Former President Chuppu resigned under alleged pressure, and Army Chief Waker now faces questions about his future, after Hasina's first public address since her ouster vowing to return to Bangladesh
- Where
- Bangladesh; Hasina's audio press conference was held at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi, India
- When
- Chuppu resigned on 24 July, roughly two years after Hasina's government fell on 5 August 2024; Hasina's press conference was held in the days after
- Why
- Any association with ousted PM Hasina now carries severe legal, political and social risks in Bangladesh, and there is widespread fear that Hasina may return
Hasina loyalists' view
Anti-Hasina critics' view
Waker-Uz-Zaman's role in Hasina's exit
Hasina loyalists' view
Hasina loyalists call the army chief 'the great betrayer'; former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal alleges Waker promised the army would stop the mob from entering Hasina's residence but went back on his word, forcing her to flee to India.
Anti-Hasina critics' view
Critics see Waker as too close to Hasina because he is her distant relative and appointee; the Jatiyo Nagrik Party staged protests warning of a 'military-backed plot' to rehabilitate the Awami League and bring Hasina back.
President Chuppu's resignation
Hasina loyalists' view
Bangladesh press reports allege Chuppu resigned under political pressure ever since Hasina began speaking of her wish to return, including over an alleged secret phone call with Hasina in May; he also angered the government by saying Hasina never resigned.
Anti-Hasina critics' view
Chuppu and his official account attribute the early resignation to bad health, and Chuppu denies the phone call as 'baseless, baseless and baseless' and completely false.
Key facts
- Ousted former PM
- Sheikh Hasina, fled to India after her government fell on 5 August 2024
- Former President
- Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu, resigned on 24 July, two years before his tenure ended, citing bad health
- Army Chief under scrutiny
- General Waker-Uz-Zaman, a Hasina appointee and distant relative
- Hasina's return pledge
- Said she will return to Bangladesh regardless of the consequences
- Press conference location
- Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia, New Delhi
- Allegation against Chuppu
- Reported secret phone call with Hasina in May during a medical trip to London; Chuppu denies it as 'totally baseless'
- Allegation against Waker
- Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said Waker broke a promise to stop the mob, forcing Hasina to flee
- Student party protest
- National Citizen Party (Jatiyo Nagrik Party) rallied on 22 March against a 'military-backed plot' to bring Hasina back
Quotes
Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu
Former President of Bangladesh, resigned early in 2024
““It’s an embarrassing question”. "Only when someone has lost their mind will come up with such concocted stuff. It is baseless, baseless and baseless. Totally baseless. I have acted fairly all my life. I do not like to manufacture any news.””
theprint.in
“"But he showed some spine in contradicting Yunus by stating emphatically that Hasina never resigned, implying that legally she may still be the prime minister. This, and the fear of Hasina’s return, saw (PM) Tarique Rahman forcing his exit."”
theprint.in
Pratim Ranjan Bose
Senior journalist
“"With Hasina announcing her return and India allowing her to address a press conference, a lot of possibilities are on the horizon. The army chief may also play a role, depending on the signal from the international community."”
theprint.in
Sources
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