TL;DR
- Junaid Ahmed Palak urged Sheikh Hasina to resign during a critical meeting amid student protests.
- Obaidul Quader allegedly attempted to confront Palak physically when he suggested Hasina step down.
- Palak opposed the cancellation of a government contract with Ten Minute School, which was annulled under pressure.
- Palak was detained at Dhaka International Airport while trying to flee to India after Hasina’s resignation.
In a dramatic turn of events, former State Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Junaid Ahmed Palak, has revealed significant details following his detention by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Palak, who was detained amidst the political upheaval following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, disclosed that he had suggested the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resign during a critical meeting on August 4. This meeting, held at the Ganabhaban, included leaders from the Awami League and its affiliated organizations.
Palak recounted that during the student movement, which had escalated to a critical point, he urged the Prime Minister to understand the sentiments of the students and the public. He suggested that if necessary, he himself could be sacrificed to quell the unrest. In a heated moment, Obaidul Quader, the Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, allegedly attempted to physically confront Palak when he boldly advised the Prime Minister to step down. Palak stated, “Awami League is being despised by the people, they are spitting on us,” which led to his expulsion from the meeting.
Further revelations from Palak during his interrogation by the DB indicate a controversial decision regarding a government contract. He opposed the cancellation of a five-year, 50 million taka agreement with Ten Minute School, an educational platform co-founded by Ayman Sadiq, who had shown support for the protesting students on social media. The contract was reportedly annulled under pressure from former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel.
Palak also mentioned that despite advising the Prime Minister to accept the reality of the situation, she was unwilling to resign. When questioned by a DB officer about why he did not resign if he desired national stability, Palak remained silent.
