Turmoil At Bangladesh Bank: Mass Resignation Demands Shake Central Bank Leadership

Bangladesh Crisis: A group of protesters stormed into Deputy Governor Kazi Sayedur Rahman's office, compelling him to sign a blank sheet of paper, which was perceived as a forced resignation

Bangladesh Crisis: Bangladesh Bank is facing significant upheaval as nearly 200 officials and employees demanded the resignation of the central bank governor, four deputy governors, advisers, and the head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). The incident, reported by regional news outlet Prothom Alo, saw members of the Central Bank of Bangladesh march into the main building during a protest. The demonstrators reportedly entered the governor's floor and coerced the deputy governors into signing blank papers.

Witnesses recounted that the protest began with the group storming into Deputy Governor Kazi Sayedur Rahman's office, compelling him to sign a blank sheet of paper, which was perceived as a forced resignation. Rahman left the bank immediately after.

The protesters then turned their attention to Deputy Governors Md. Khurshid Alam, Nurun Nahar, and Md. Habibur Rahman, similarly pressuring them to sign blank papers. Masud Biswas of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit and bank adviser Abu Farah Md. Nasser were also asked to resign.

All these high-ranking officials held their positions on a contractual basis. According to witness accounts, four deputy governors and the head of the financial intelligence unit have already "resigned" and vacated the central bank premises.

In a bold move, the protesting officials and employees declared these top officials persona non grata and appointed Executive Director Zakir Hossain Chowdhury as the officer-in-charge. They asserted that the return of good governance to the banking sector hinged on the removal of the current leadership.

The political affiliations of the protesters remain unclear, as they did not display any party banners during the demonstration.

The situation remains tense as the central bank grapples with this internal crisis, raising questions about the future stability and governance of Bangladesh's financial sector.