On Monday, Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladeshi prime minister fled her palace as protesters flooded Dhaka’s streets. In a speech to the nation General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Bangladesh’s Army Chief, said that Hasina resigned from her position and that he would form an interim government. Hasina arrived at Ghaziabad air base, India, later on Monday.

Local television broadcast images of people running into the residence of the prime minister in the capital, and looting. Waker-Uz-Zaman called on protesters to end violence and return home. He stated that the army would not fire.

Hasina’s son had asked the security forces of the country to prevent any attempt at taking over her rule.

A source close to Hasina said to the AFP agency that Hasina wanted to record a statement, but could not do so.

What is the cause of protests in Bangladesh?

The protests that began in the last month over civil service job quotas grew into the worst unrest during Hasina’s fifteen-year rule. They grew into a wider call for Hasina to step down. Over the last month, the police have cracked down on protests. Nearly 100 people were killed on Sunday.

Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, won her fourth election consecutively after no genuine opposition.

Rights groups accuse her government of abusing state institutions in order to consolidate its power and stifle dissent. This includes the extrajudicial execution of opposition activists.

Demonstrations were held over the reinstatement of a quota system that reserved more than 50% of government jobs to certain groups.

The protests are intensifying despite Bangladesh’s highest court having scaled back the scheme.

In a Facebook post, her son Sajeeb, based in the US, stated that “your duty is to protect our people and our country and uphold our constitution.”

It means that you must not allow an unelected government to take power for even a minute.

On Monday, protesters marched on the streets of the capital despite a curfew enforced by security forces. It was the deadliest unrest day since the demonstrations began last month.

On Monday, internet access was severely restricted. Offices were closed. And more than 3,500 garment factories that serve Bangladesh’s vitally important garment industry were also shut.

AFP reported that soldiers and police in armored vehicles barricaded the way to Hasina’s office in Dhaka with barbed-wire, but large crowds flooded into the streets and ripped down the barriers.

According to the local Business Standard, there were 400,000 protesters on the street.

Asif Mahmud said, “The final protest is now upon us,” one of the leading figures in the civil disobedience movement across the country.

“An unprecedented uprising of the people by all measures”

On Sunday, at least 94 people died including 14 police officers.

Security forces fired after protesters and supporters of the government in various parts of the country fought each other with knives and sticks.

According to an AFP tally based upon police, government officials, and doctors in hospitals, the day’s violence brought the total number killed since protests started early July up to at least 300.

In a press release, Volker Turk, the United Nations’ rights chief said that “the shocking violence in Bangladesh has to stop”.

Ali Riaz is a professor of politics at Illinois State University and an expert in Bangladesh. “Also the ferocity and zeal of the regime loyalists and state actors is unprecedented in history.”

Social media videos verified by AFP show protesters in Dhaka smashing a statue of Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the country to independence.

Unlike the previous month’s rallies which ended in violent crackdowns, there were several instances where soldiers and police failed to intervene.

Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center in Washington, who is the director of South Asia Institute, said to AFP: “Let’s not be confused: Hasina’s walls are closing on her: She’s losing support and legitimation rapidly.”

He said that the protests had gained momentum. They were fueled not only by anger, but also the confidence of knowing that the entire nation was behind them.

A respected former army chief, in a highly symbolic rebuke to Hasina’s government, demanded that the government “immediately withdraw” troops and allow for protests.

Ikbal Bhuiyan, the former chief of the army, told reporters on Sunday that those responsible for bringing people in this country into such a state will be brought to trial.

In the nation of 170 million South Asians, there are film stars, musicians, and singers who have joined in this anti-government movement.