Protests have erupted in Bangladesh as students demand the resignation of President Md Shahabuddin

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Bangladesh, demanding the resignation of President Md Shahabuddin following his recent remarks about former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country in August. On Tuesday (October 22), demonstrators blocked roads and called for Shahabuddin’s resignation. The protests were sparked by an interview Shahabuddin gave to the Bangla daily Manab Zamin last week, where he mentioned lacking documentary evidence of Hasina resigning as prime minister before her departure.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which had previously campaigned to oust Hasina, led the protests and seized the presidential palace, Bangabhaban. Clashes broke out during the protests, leaving five people, including two journalists, injured as law enforcement attempted to stop protesters from storming the president's residence.

Citing The Business Standard, hospital sources confirmed that two individuals suffered gunshot wounds when security forces fired shots to prevent protesters from breaking through the palace barricades.

Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators under various banners clashing with police, who responded with baton charges and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement also issued an ultimatum to the new interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, presenting five key demands, including the removal of President Shahabuddin and the abolition of the 1972 constitution.

"Our primary demand is the immediate scrapping of the 'pro-Mujib 1972 Constitution' that has kept Chuppu (the president's nickname) in power," said Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the movement, warning that protesters would return "with full force" if the government failed to meet their demands by the end of the week.