Former president Mohammed Shahabuddin said he resigned of his own accord, describing life at Bangabhaban as restrictive and saying he now felt free. “I resigned without any pressure… It was a very restricted life. Being free from it is my biggest gain at this moment,” Shahabuddin, who resigned yesterday, told The Daily Star during a 12-minute WhatsApp call, four hours after submitting his resignation letter to the Speaker. Asked about his role during the uprising, Shahabuddin said the president must act within the constitution and should not issue orders that cannot be enforced. Shahabuddin said he dissolved parliament after the uprising, saying it removed uncertainty and protected the state under the constitution.