Bangladesh Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan forced to resign by violent protestors; Demonstrators threaten to attack judges

On August 11, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan of Bangladesh resigned under mounting pressure from protesters who had surrounded the Supreme Court in Dhaka. The demonstrators, including students and lawyers, had occupied the court premises and warned that they would storm the residences of the Chief Justice and other judges if Hassan did not resign within an hour.

The Parliamentary Affairs Adviser, Asif Nazrul, confirmed the resignation, stating that Hassan’s resignation letter had been received by the Law Ministry and would soon be sent to the President for official processing. Nazrul announced the news in a video on Facebook, stating that the necessary actions would be taken without delay to formalize the Chief Justice’s departure.

Chief Justice Hassan cited concerns for the safety of judges as the primary reason for his resignation. In his statement to the media, Hassan expressed that the growing unrest and threats posed a serious risk to the safety of judges both at the Supreme Court and at lower courts nationwide. “I decided to step down considering the safety of judges across the country,” he explained. His resignation was a direct response to the chaotic situation and a bid to mitigate further violence.

The protests began after it was revealed that Hassan had called for a full-court meeting, which led to a surge in demonstrators who marched to the Supreme Court. The occupation of the court premises led to heightened security measures, with army personnel deployed to protect the building from being overrun. The situation escalated as protesters clashed with security forces and engaged in confrontations with police.

Abdul Muqaddim, one of the leading protesters, accused the Chief Justice of being involved in a conspiracy to declare the interim government illegal. “The fascists are trying to use the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice to undermine the interim government,” Muqaddim alleged. His comments reflected the widespread belief among protesters that Hassan was conspiring against the current government.

Asif Nazrul, a law adviser to the interim government, noted several controversies surrounding Hassan, including allegations that he stayed at the residences of Awami League leaders during international visits. These controversies, coupled with the political climate, intensified the calls for Hassan’s resignation. Asif Mahmud, an adviser to the Sports Ministry, also demanded Hassan’s unconditional resignation and the cancellation of the full-court meeting.

In response to the crisis, Chief Justice Hassan postponed the full-court meeting, a move aimed at de-escalating tensions and addressing the immediate safety concerns. This decision was part of his effort to manage the situation and protect the integrity of the judiciary during a time of significant unrest.

The ongoing unrest in Bangladesh is part of a broader political crisis. Protests initially sparked over a controversial job quota system that reserved up to 30 per cent of government jobs for the family members of 1971 war veterans. Although the Supreme Court reduced the quota to 5 per cent, the protests continued to grow, evolving into demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The demonstrations and violence have had a devastating impact, with over 500 people reported dead and many more injured.

Amid the ongoing turmoil, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina had resigned and fled the country on Monday. In response to the political instability, an interim government has been formed under Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus. The new interim administration faces the challenging task of restoring order and addressing the deep-rooted issues that have led to the current crisis in Bangladesh.