Sheikh Hasina’s political legacy in Bangladesh came to an abrupt end in August 2024 when she resigned and fled the country amidst widespread protests. As the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding father and the nation’s longest-serving prime minister, Hasina’s 15-year consecutive rule reshaped the country’s political landscape. This article examines her journey from exile to power, the significant events during her tenure, and the controversies that ultimately led to her downfall, painting a complex picture of a leader who transformed Bangladesh while courting controversy.
From Exile to Power: Hasina’s Political Ascent
Sheikh Hasina’s political career began in the shadow of tragedy. On August 15, 1975, her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader and first president, was assassinated in a military coup along with most of her family. Hasina, who was abroad at the time, spent years in exile in India. This period shaped her political outlook and steeled her determination to return to Bangladesh and continue her father’s legacy.
In 1981, Hasina returned to Bangladesh, taking over the leadership of the Awami League, the party her father had led. Her early years in politics were marked by struggles against military rule and efforts to restore democracy. In 1996, she achieved her first major political victory, becoming prime minister for a five-year term.
After a period out of office from 2001 to 2008, Hasina returned to power in 2009, beginning a streak of electoral victories that would see her become the longest-serving prime minister in Bangladesh’s history. Her political acumen and the Awami League’s strong organizational structure helped her maintain a firm grip on power for over a decade.
Economic Growth and Social Reforms: The Double-Edged Sword
Under Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh experienced remarkable economic growth, with GDP growth averaging over 6% annually for much of her tenure. The country’s garment industry boomed, becoming the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made garments. Hasina’s government also made significant strides in poverty reduction, with the poverty rate falling from 31.5% in 2010 to 20.5% in 2019.
Hasina’s administration prioritized social development, particularly in education and women’s empowerment. The country achieved near-universal primary school enrollment and made progress in reducing gender disparities in education. The government’s digital initiatives, including the “Digital Bangladesh” program, aimed to modernize the country’s infrastructure and services.
However, these achievements were not without their dark side. The 2013 Rana Plaza collapse, which killed over 1,000 garment workers, exposed the dangerous working conditions in Bangladesh’s booming garment industry. The incident led to international scrutiny and calls for reform, forcing Hasina’s government to address labor rights and workplace safety issues.
Controversies and Criticisms: The Erosion of Democracy
As Hasina’s tenure progressed, her governance style became increasingly authoritarian, drawing criticism both domestically and internationally. The 2014 and 2018 elections were marred by allegations of vote-rigging and intimidation of opposition parties. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted the 2014 election, and in 2018, they alleged widespread fraud despite participating.
Hasina’s government faced accusations of suppressing political dissent and curtailing press freedom. The Digital Security Act, passed in 2018, was widely criticized for its potential to stifle free speech and journalism. Human rights organizations reported numerous cases of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary arrests of opposition figures and critics.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite police unit, became a symbol of the government’s heavy-handed approach to law enforcement. In December 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on the RAB and several of its officials for human rights violations, marking a significant blow to Hasina’s international reputation.
Domestic and International Relations
Hasina’s foreign policy was characterized by a delicate balancing act between regional powers India and China. She maintained close ties with India, resolving long-standing border disputes and enhancing economic cooperation. At the same time, she welcomed Chinese investments in infrastructure projects, raising concerns in New Delhi about Beijing’s growing influence in the region.
The Rohingya refugee crisis, which saw nearly a million refugees flee from neighboring Myanmar into Bangladesh, presented a significant challenge for Hasina’s government. While initially welcoming the refugees on humanitarian grounds, the prolonged crisis strained Bangladesh’s resources and tested its diplomatic capabilities.
The Final Years and Downfall
Hasina’s fourth consecutive term, beginning in January 2024, proved to be her last. The election, boycotted by the main opposition parties, was widely seen as lacking credibility. International observers and human rights organizations condemned the process, citing widespread irregularities and the suppression of opposition voices.
The catalyst for Hasina’s downfall came in June 2024, when student protests against a controversial job quota system quickly escalated into nationwide demonstrations against her rule. The government’s harsh crackdown on protesters, resulting in numerous deaths, only fueled public anger.
As protests intensified through July and early August, Hasina’s grip on power began to slip. On August 5, 2024, following a day of particularly violent clashes that left nearly 100 dead, Hasina resigned and fled the country. Her departure marked the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics and left the nation in a state of uncertainty.
Sheikh Hasina’s political legacy in Bangladesh is complex and contradictory. Her 15-year rule saw significant economic growth and social progress, elevating Bangladesh’s status on the world stage. However, these achievements were overshadowed by the erosion of democratic norms, allegations of human rights abuses, and the suppression of political opposition.
As Bangladesh moves into an uncertain future under military interim rule, the impact of Hasina’s long tenure will continue to shape the country’s political landscape. Her sudden resignation in the face of mass protests underscores the fragility of authoritarian rule and the power of popular movements.
The challenge for Bangladesh now lies in building on the economic and social gains of the Hasina era while addressing the democratic deficit and human rights concerns that ultimately led to her downfall. As the country grapples with these issues, Sheikh Hasina’s political legacy will undoubtedly be debated for years to come, serving as both a cautionary tale and a complex chapter in Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle for democracy and development.
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