After AL’s fall, there were attempts at ‘counter-revolution’: President Shahabuddin

President Md Shahabuddin has said there were attempts to stage a “counter-revolution” in the immediate aftermath of the July-August 2024 mass uprising that ended the Awami League’s decade-and-a-half rule.

He also said he was subjected to intense pressure from different quarters to declare a state of emergency at the time.

The president made the remarks in an interview with the daily Kaler Kantho on Friday night. The newspaper published the second and final instalment of the interview on Tuesday.

Shahabuddin, 75, assumed office as president on Apr 24, 2023, during the Awami League government. A former Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner, he was widely known as “Shahabuddin Chuppu”.

As head of state, Shahabuddin is the commander-in-chief of Bangladesh’s Armed Forces. However, the role is largely ceremonial, with executive authority vested in the prime minister and the cabinet.

Sixteen months into his tenure, he faced an unprecedented political crisis when a student-led mass uprising led to the fall of the Awami League government and prime minister Sheikh Hasina left the country for India.

Emergency Rumours

Kaler Kantho asked the president whether there had been any discussions, publicly or privately, about declaring a state of emergency and ushering in military rule during that turbulent period.

In response, Shahabuddin said no such formal discussions had taken place. However, he stressed that the Armed Forces had played a “memorable” role at a critical juncture.

“I can firmly say that the role played by our Armed Forces at that time will be remembered,” he said. “They acted appropriately at the right moment.

“They could have imposed martial law if they had wanted. They could have declared an emergency, and there was pressure on me to do so. Only the president can declare an emergency. So I was influenced in various ways, from different levels, to declare a state of emergency.

“It must also be said that there was an initiative at that time to stage a counter-revolution.”

Asked from which level the alleged counter-revolutionary efforts were coming and who had tried to influence him to declare an emergency, the president said such crises often attract “opportunistic elements”.

“In such situations, there are always opportunistic actors. Various domestic and foreign agencies become active. From their side, attempts were made to exert influence, particularly to create complications by taking unconstitutional steps,” he said.

“I was repeatedly told in my ear that I should declare an emergency. However, the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force were completely opposed to this. They were opposed to imposing martial law, opposed to forming a national government, and opposed to declaring an emergency.

“They were saying that perhaps it would be possible to continue in this manner and proceed towards an election. Because of their position, I was able to firmly resist those pressures.”

The president said the objective of the armed forces at the time had been to arrange an election.

“The Army chief had said that we would like to see an election within 18 months. I can state unequivocally that there was no lust for power within him -- that is absolutely true,” he said.

“He repeatedly said that if one examines the past history of our armed forces, there are both positive and negative examples. Even during the 1/11 period, many did not accept what happened.”

Referring to the 2007 political crisis, when an emergency was declared and a military-backed government remained in power for an extended period, Shahabuddin said the Armed Forces did not want to repeat that experience.

“During 1/11, an emergency was declared, and the military remained in power for a long time. That can create public resentment. For that reason, they did not take that path under any circumstances,” he said.

“However, at that time I was the target... to declare an emergency. Extreme pressure was exerted on me. But by the grace of Allah and because of my firm resolve, the country was saved from that situation.”

Inside Bangabhaban on Aug 5

What began 36 days earlier as a student movement demanding reforms to the quota system in government jobs ultimately turned into a mass uprising that forced Hasina to step down on Aug 5, 2024.

Asked what the atmosphere was like at Bangabhaban on the day the Awami League government fell, the president said: “Naturally, the movement turned into a mass uprising. When protesters were marching towards Ganabhaban [Hasina's official residence], I was informed that the prime minister might come to Bangabhaban at any moment. Around 12 noon, I was told she was preparing to come here.

“Before that, we had not fully realised what was about to unfold. But when we were told she would come and that a helicopter was ready, we began to grasp the gravity of the situation. The security personnel stationed here took up their positions.

He continued, “Around 12:30pm, we were informed that she was not coming after all. Once we learnt she would not come, we remained on alert. Shortly afterwards, we heard that she had left the country. At one point, we came to know that she had already gone abroad.

“Overall, within 30 to 40 minutes, we witnessed a very rapid shift in the entire sequence of events.”

As supreme commander of the Armed Forces, he was asked whether he was in contact with the military during those hours.

Shahabuddin said that around 3pm, Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman called him to brief him on the situation. The Armed Forces Division also informed him of developments. He was later told that the Army chief would address the media.

The president said they watched the televised briefing in which the Army chief announced that the prime minister had left the country, reassuring the public that she had already departed.

Soon afterwards, the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force went to Bangabhaban and held discussions with him about the emerging crisis.

“At that point, we were almost at a loss as to what should be done. We discussed for about two to three hours what steps could be taken and how to proceed. It was decided that leaders of all political parties would be invited. An Army team was assigned to carry out that task. After that, they left.

“At Army Headquarters, leaders of political parties were brought together. Some leaders of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement were also present. Those who were available were brought back to Bangabhaban. We then sat down for another round of discussions.”

The president continued, “At that meeting at Bangabhaban, we placed the highest priority on peace and stability in the country. There was extensive discussion on what kind of decision would restore confidence among the people."

The session was held under his chairmanship, with the army chief conducting proceedings and explaining the situation in detail. Three main proposals were put forward: forming a caretaker government, an all-party or national government, or an interim government.

Shahabuddin said although the names differed, the objective was the same. However, the term “caretaker government” might evoke memories of the 1/11 period, while an “all-party” or “national” government could imply a long-term arrangement.

After deliberation, political leaders decided that an interim government would be the most appropriate course.

“Once that decision was taken, the responsibility fell on me to address the nation and reassure the people. They would discuss among themselves and determine the structure of the government. After the decision, Asif Nazrul briefed journalists on the progress.

“I delivered my address to the nation at 11pm. The process of forming the interim government was left in their hands. The Armed Forces and political leaders would consult and move it forward. The Armed Forces would remain and provide support in all matters.”