In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country amid widespread protests that have escalated into violent unrest. Reports indicate that the 76-year-old leader left for India in a helicopter on Monday, following a breach of her official residence in the capital, Dhaka, by thousands of demonstrators.
This abrupt exit marks the end of Hasina’s lengthy political career as the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh, a role she has held since 2009, totaling over 20 years in power. While she has been credited with significant economic growth in Bangladesh, critics have accused her administration of increasingly authoritarian tactics, stifling dissent through politically motivated arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
Hasina won a controversial fourth term in January, in elections dismissed by critics as fraudulent and boycotted by the primary opposition party, raising questions about the legitimacy of her government.
A Political Legacy: How Sheikh Hasina Came to Power
Sheikh Hasina was born into a politically active Muslim family in East Bengal in 1947. Her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is heralded as the “Father of the Nation” for his role in leading Bangladesh to independence in 1971. Establishing herself as a student leader, she faced immense personal tragedy when her father was assassinated during a military coup in 1975.
After years in exile, Hasina returned in 1981, taking the helm of the Awami League party. Spearheading pro-democracy protests against military rule, she rose to national prominence, eventually being elected for the first time in 1996. Despite being credited with significant national achievements, including landmark agreements with India, her leadership has not been without its controversies, particularly regarding allegations of corruption and favoritism.
Economic Growth Amid Controversy
Under Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh has transformed from one of the world’s poorest countries into one of its fastest-growing economies. Her government has been pivotal in driving the nation’s garment industry, lifting millions out of poverty and tripling per capita income over the last decade. Major infrastructure projects like the $2.9 billion Padma Bridge have furthered developmental goals.
Unrest and Allegations of Repression
The recent protests represent the most significant challenge to Hasina’s government in years, sparked by demands for civil service job quota reforms before evolving into a broader anti-government movement. Amid escalating inflation and a widening cost of living crisis post-pandemic, the opposition has cited government mismanagement as a primary cause of national distress.
Critics argue that the regime has prioritized authoritarian control over democratic principles, leading to systemic abuses against opponents and the media. Reports from human rights organizations have detailed numerous incidents of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, complicating Hasina’s legacy as both a political leader and a proponent of democracy.
In the turbulence following the protests, prominent leaders of the opposition have been arrested, raising alarms about the future of political freedoms in Bangladesh. Hasina’s administration has strongly denied claims of abuse while implementing strict measures against international scrutiny.
