Rahul Gandhi, opposition leaders attend all-party meeting on Bangladesh unrest

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with leaders from various parties, attended an all-party meeting convened by the central government on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to brief the meeting, which will take place in the morning, according to official sources.

The political crisis in Bangladesh has escalated significantly following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on Monday amid mounting protests. Hasina arrived at Hindon Air Base near New Delhi in a C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft. The unrest in Bangladesh has resulted in at least 135 fatalities due to police firings, mob beatings, and arson, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.

Prothom Alo, citing sources from Dhaka Medical College Hospital, reported that 500 people were admitted with various injuries, including gunshot wounds, with 70 of them currently hospitalized. Following news of Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh, celebrations erupted on the streets, according to the Dhaka Tribune.

The protests, initially led by students demanding an end to the quota system for government jobs, quickly evolved into a broader uprising against Hasina and her ruling Awami League party. On Sunday, clashes in Dhaka resulted in at least 95 deaths, including 14 police officers, and left hundreds injured, as reported by local media outlet Prothom Alo.

The Indian government is closely monitoring the situation, and the all-party meeting aims to formulate a response to the unfolding crisis in the neighboring country. The meeting underscores India’s concern and intent to support stability in Bangladesh during this critical period.