For the second time, Sheikh Hasina’s trip abroad has altered the course of Bangladeshi history: in the face of intense protests, the 76-year-old prime minister has stepped down and traveled by helicopter to India.
The tenure of the world’s longest-serving female prime minister has concluded after she led the country of 170 million people for more than two decades, with the last 15 years being uninterrupted. While the economy thrived during her leadership, Sheikh Hasina’s political opponents have increasingly faced the consequences of her stringent policies.
A twist of fate and a fortunate coincidence
A pivotal moment for Hasina and her nation occurred on August 15, 1975, when coup plotters assassinated then-president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with members of his family. Sheikh Hasina’s survival was attributed to her being abroad at the time: she was in Germany, where her husband Wazed Miah was conducting research as a nuclear physicist. During the military dictatorship that ensued in Bangladesh, Hasina remained in Karlsruhe with her sister and two children.
Before returning to their home country, the sisters lived in exile in India under assumed identities. In 1981, another presidential assassination took place, this time involving General Zia-ur-Rahman, who was killed in a failed military coup. That same year, Sheikh Hasina was elected as the leader of the Awami League, her father’s party, which had played a crucial role in Pakistan’s independence in 1971.
The unification of the two regions, situated approximately 1,500 kilometers apart, is a remnant of the British colonial era. With India’s independence, the two Muslim-majority areas merged into one autonomous colony.
Two bitter rivals in power
The 1980s were marked by harsh military rule under General Hussain Mohammed Ershad. Sheikh Hasina formed an alliance with various opposition parties, including the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), led by Khaleda Zia, the widow of the president assassinated in 1981. Both women had lost close relatives in coups and achieved their goal in late 1990 when Ershad was ousted from power following widespread protests. In the subsequent democratic elections of 1991, Khaleda Zia became Bangladesh’s first female head of government. Following her term, Sheikh Hasina took over, after which Zia returned to power, but since 2009, Hasina has ruled continuously, partly due to the BNP’s boycott of all parliamentary elections since, including the most recent one earlier this year.
Once in power, the alliance between the two women transitioned into an increasingly hostile rivalry, with ample personal accusations exchanged. Their respective parties also grew estranged. Zia was sentenced to five years in prison in a corruption trial in 2018, a sentence later increased. Now 78 and in poor health, she remains under house arrest.
Throughout her political career, Sheikh Hasina has been a target of violence, claiming to have survived 19 assassination attempts.
Progress and suppression
Sheikh Hasina is primarily recognized for her economic policies: she established numerous power plants and an efficient electricity grid, crucial for rapid industrialization. Today, Bangladesh is a vital part of the global textile industry, though this has also resulted from low wages and inadequate labor protections. The collapse of the Rana Plaza textile factory in 2013 resulted in over 1,100 deaths.
Simultaneously, Sheikh Hasina has overseen an increasing suppression of civil society. She has violently suppressed protests multiple times, leading to the arrest of many opposition figures during her tenure. Since 2018, critical journalists risk being charged with “negative propaganda,” facing up to 14 years in prison. In the Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index, Bangladesh ranks 165th out of 180 countries.
Controversial quota system
Sheikh Hasina has been unable to quell the latest wave of protests. Demonstrators initially called for the abolition of a longstanding quota system, reserving 30 percent of sought-after civil service positions for fighters from the 1971 independence war or their descendants. This system has favored supporters of Hasina’s party due to the Awami League’s significant role during that period.
Despite the Supreme Court significantly curtailing the quota system, protests continued, resulting in over 300 deaths during clashes with security forces on Sunday.
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Sheikh Hasina Resigns: A Shift in Bangladeshi History
For the second time, a trip abroad by Sheikh Hasina has changed the course of Bangladeshi history: cornered by fierce protests, the 76-year-old has resigned as prime minister and flown by helicopter to India. The era of the world’s longest-serving female prime minister has ended after leading the country of 170 million people for more than 20 years, the last 15 of which were uninterrupted. While the country’s economy flourished under her leadership, Sheikh Hasina’s political opponents have increasingly suffered from her harsh policies.
A Stroke of Fate: The Early Years of Sheikh Hasina
A pivotal moment for Hasina and her country came on 15 August 1975, when coup plotters assassinated the then president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with members of his family. Remarkably, Sheikh Hasina survived this tragic event due to a stay abroad; she was in Germany where her husband, Wazed Miah, was conducting research as a nuclear physicist. During this tumultuous time, Hasina remained in Karlsruhe with her sister and two children, while a military dictatorship took power in Bangladesh.
Before returning to their homeland, both sisters lived in exile in India under false names. In 1981, a failed military coup resulted in the assassination of General Zia-ur-Rahman. That same year, Sheikh Hasina was elected leader of the Awami League, her father’s party which had played a crucial role in Pakistan’s independence in 1971.
Political Rivalries: Hasina vs. Zia
The 1980s were characterized by brutal military governance under General Hussain Mohammed Ershad. Sheikh Hasina formed an alliance with other opposition parties including the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), led by Khaleda Zia, the widow of the assassinated president. Their shared tragedy united them to fight against Ershad, forcibly removing him from power after sustained nationwide protests in late 1990.
In the democratic elections that followed in 1991, Khaleda Zia became Bangladesh’s first female head of government. The subsequent years saw a back-and-forth power struggle between these two formidable women, culminating in Hasina’s re-election in 2009 where she has remained until the present day, largely due to opposition boycott strategies.
The Economy Under Sheikh Hasina: Growth and Controversy
Sheikh Hasina is particularly recognized for her economic policies that prioritized infrastructure and industrialization. Under her leadership, numerous power plants and an efficient electricity grid were built, facilitating rapid industrial growth and positioning Bangladesh as a pivotal player in the global textile industry. However, this growth came at a socio-economic cost, impacting labor rights, especially after the heartbreaking Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, where over 1,100 workers lost their lives in a factory collapse.
Repression of Dissent: A Growing Trend
While Hasina’s government has made economic strides, it has increasingly faced criticism for its authoritarian crackdown on dissent. The administration has faced accusations of violently suppressing protests and arresting opposition members. With stringent laws punishing critical journalism, Bangladesh now ranks 165th in Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index.
Protests and Public Outcry
Despite efforts to quell dissent, recent protests highlighting grievances against a controversial quota system have intensified. Initially demanding the repeal of this long-standing quota reserving a significant percentage of civil service jobs for independence fighters and their descendants, protests surged as security forces responded brutally. Over 300 individuals reportedly died in clashes as public discontent reached a boiling point.
The Unfolding Legacy of Sheikh Hasina
As we assess Sheikh Hasina’s legacy, it becomes evident that her leadership has been a double-edged sword. From advancing Bangladesh’s position in the global economy to suppressing civil rights, the outcomes of her tenure have sparked fierce debate. Her resignation marks a significant turning point in Bangladeshi politics, resonating with both supporters who benefited from economic growth and critics who endured the costs of authoritarian rule.
Key Facts About Sheikh Hasina’s Tenure
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1975 | Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |
| 1981 | Sheikh Hasina becomes leader of the Awami League |
| 1991 | First female Prime Minister elected: Khaleda Zia |
| 2009 | Hasina returns to power, beginning a prolonged rule |
| 2013 | Rana Plaza disaster, highlighting labor rights issues |
| 2023 | Sheikh Hasina resigns as Prime Minister |
Conclusion: Looking Ahead
As the political landscape in Bangladesh evolves post-Hasina, one must consider the potential implications for the economy, civil rights, and the nature of governance. Future leaders will have big shoes to fill and significant challenges to address to create a balanced and just society for the people of Bangladesh.
