Sheikh Hasina, who had governed Bangladesh with an iron fist for 15 years, has seen her long rule come to a dramatic end following widespread protests and unrest. The 76-year-old leader, who won a fifth term as prime minister in January, faced an unprecedented challenge as demonstrators stormed her palace in Dhaka on Monday.
Hasina’s tenure was marked by significant economic growth but also by severe criticisms regarding human rights abuses and political repression. The protests that led to her downfall began in July when university students rallied against civil service job quotas. These demonstrations quickly escalated, with demands for Hasina’s resignation growing louder amid increasing violence.
The unrest intensified when police and pro-government student groups clashed with protesters, leading to international condemnation. The situation deteriorated as accusations mounted against Hasina’s government for a range of human rights abuses, including the alleged murder of opposition activists. Critics also pointed to the arrest of political opponents and allegations of corruption and electoral fraud.
Sheikh Hasina’s rise to power was marked by a mixture of personal tragedy and political struggle. Her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh, was assassinated in a 1975 military coup, along with her mother and three brothers. Hasina returned to Bangladesh in 1981 to lead her father’s Awami League party, after years of living in exile. Her political journey was fraught with challenges, including periods of house arrest and intense rivalry with Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Hasina first served as prime minister in 1996 but lost to Zia five years later. The two leaders’ rivalry dominated Bangladeshi politics, with both parties frequently clashing. In 2007, both leaders were imprisoned on corruption charges by a military-backed government, but the charges were later dropped. Hasina returned to power in 2008, and since then, she had maintained a tight grip on the country’s political landscape.
Under Hasina’s rule, Bangladesh experienced notable economic growth, transitioning from one of the world’s poorest nations to a country with a rapidly growing economy. The garment export industry, powered largely by a mostly female workforce, played a crucial role in this transformation. Bangladesh’s economy grew at an average rate of more than 6% annually since 2009. Poverty rates dropped significantly, and by 2021, per capita income had surpassed that of India. Access to electricity also expanded, with more than 95% of the population gaining access.
However, Hasina’s government faced significant criticism for its authoritarian practices and intolerance of dissent. Over the past decade, several top leaders and opposition figures were executed following convictions for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 war of independence. These trials were met with widespread protests and allegations of being politically motivated.
The United States imposed sanctions in 2021 on an elite branch of Bangladesh’s security forces and seven top officers, citing human rights abuses. Despite these criticisms, Hasina defended her record, asserting that her administration had worked tirelessly for the nation’s development. She claimed that her efforts had transformed Bangladesh, addressing areas damaged during recent unrest and emphasizing her commitment to the country’s progress.
As Hasina’s long reign comes to an end, the future of Bangladesh’s political landscape remains uncertain. The protests that led to her downfall reflect broader discontent with her autocratic style and the challenges facing the country as it navigates a period of significant change. The end of Hasina’s rule marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s history, with implications for both its domestic policies and international relations.
