Dhaka - Bangladesh's army chief is scheduled to meet with student protest leaders on Tuesday as the nation anticipates the establishment of a new government, a dat after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country amid massive student-led protests.

Bangladesh army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman is set to meet with the protest organisers at 12 noon local time (0600 GMT) on Tuesday. This announcement comes a day after Zaman, in a televised address, revealed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had resigned and that an interim government would be established.

Garment factories, which are crucial to the economy and supply apparel to some of the world's leading brands, will remain closed on Tuesday. The main garment manufacturers association announced that plans for reopening will be communicated at a later date.

Nahid Islam, a 26-year-old sociology student from Dhaka University, emerged as the prominent leader of this movement, which initially sought the abolition of quotas in government jobs but evolved into a nationwide demand for Hasina's resignation.

Islam, known for his quiet demeanor and often seen with a Bangladeshi flag tied across his forehead, rose to national prominence in mid-July. He and other students were detained by police during the height of the protests, which saw violent clashes resulting in nearly 300 deaths, primarily among college and university students.

The resignation of Hasina marks the end of her 15-year continuous tenure, characterized by both economic progress and increasing authoritarianism. Hasina, who celebrated her fifth term in power just seven months ago, fled to neighboring India on Monday. Her departure was announced by army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, who stated that an interim government would be formed. "The country is going through a revolutionary period," Zaman said in a televised address. "I promise you all, we will bring justice to all the murders and injustice. We request you to have faith in the army of the country. Please don't go back to the path of violence and please return to non-violent and peaceful ways."

Islam and other student leaders are scheduled to meet General Zaman to discuss the formation of the interim government. Islam has firmly stated that the students would not accept any government led or supported by the army and proposed Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser. "Any government other than the one we recommended would not be accepted," Islam declared in a Facebook post early Tuesday.

On Monday, standing with fellow student leaders, the bearded and stocky Islam addressed reporters with resolve. "We won't betray the blood shed by the martyrs for our cause," he asserted. "We will create a new democratic Bangladesh through our promise of security of life, social justice, and a new political landscape." He vowed to ensure that the country of 170 million never returns to what he described as "Fascist rule" and called on fellow students to protect the Hindu minority and their places of worship.

Islam's determination was echoed by his younger brother, Nakib, a geography student, who spoke of his sibling's resilience. "He has incredible stamina and always said the country needed to change," Nakib said. "He was picked up by the police, tortured until he was unconscious, and then dumped on the road. Despite all this, he continues to fight. We have confidence that he will not give up. Proud of him."

Sabrina Karim, associate professor of government at Cornell University and an expert in political violence, hailed Monday as a historic day for Bangladesh. "This might very well be the first successful Gen Z-led revolution," she remarked. "There is perhaps some optimism for a democratic transition even if the military is involved in the process."

Sheikh Hasina's resignation brings an end to a significant chapter in Bangladeshi politics. Born in 1947 in what was then East Pakistan, Hasina was the eldest daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's founding leader who was assassinated in 1975 along with most of his family. Hasina survived because she was visiting Europe at the time. Returning from exile in India in 1981, she was elected head of the Awami League and became a central figure in Bangladesh's political landscape.

Hasina's political career has been marked by both significant achievements and controversies. She first led the Awami League to victory in 1996, serving one five-year term before regaining power in 2009 and maintaining her position until now. Her tenure saw notable economic progress, particularly in the garments industry, and she received international praise for sheltering Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar. However, her rule also became increasingly autocratic, with widespread arrests of political opponents, suppression of free speech, and crackdowns on dissent.

The recent protests, which began in June over demands to abolish a controversial quota system in government jobs, escalated into a broader movement against Hasina's rule. The quota system was seen as favoring allies of Hasina's party, sparking outrage among students and other segments of society. The demonstrations turned deadly, and Hasina's government imposed an indefinite curfew and a three-day general holiday in an attempt to quell the unrest.

As the situation deteriorated, Hasina fled the country for her safety, with her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy explaining her departure. "She was so disappointed that after all her hard work, for a minority to rise up against her," Joy told the BBC World Service. He asserted that she would not attempt a political comeback. "She has turned Bangladesh around. When she took over power it was considered a failing state. It was a poor country. Until today it was considered one of the rising tigers of Asia."

Upon her arrival in India, Hasina was received at a military airfield near Delhi by India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Media reports suggest that she will leave for London, though official details of her stay and plans remain unclear.

The United States has urged the formation of an interim government to be democratic and inclusive, encouraging all parties to restore peace and refrain from further violence. Karim emphasized the importance of rule of law during the transition, cautioning against revenge killings and destruction. "There is perhaps some optimism for a democratic transition even if the military is involved in the process," she said, noting Bangladesh's significant contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and its reputation on the global stage.