Sheikh Hasina’s remarkable 15-year reign as Bangladesh’s prime minister has come to a dramatic end. Known as the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina once guided Bangladesh out of military rule and into a period of rapid economic growth. Her tenure saw a transformation of the country from a state once deemed an “irredeemable basket case” by U.S. statesman Henry Kissinger.
However, her long rule has concluded amid scenes of chaos as protesters stormed her residence in Dhaka, defying a military curfew and celebrating her resignation in the streets. Hasina, now in India, is plotting her next move as Bangladesh faces a new chapter.
The Path to Discontent
Hasina’s rule did not end suddenly but was marked by growing unrest. The January general elections, amid rising tensions and violent protests, highlighted a contentious period. The main opposition party, the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), demanded Hasina step down in favor of a caretaker government to oversee the elections. Hasina’s refusal led to a boycott by the BNP and prompted a joint statement from seven countries—Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States—expressing ‘deep concern’ over the electoral process.
Despite securing a landslide victory with 224 out of 300 seats, the election was marred by controversy. With a voter turnout of just 41.8%, the second-lowest in Bangladesh’s history, allegations of an unfair process emerged. The U.S. Department of State and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office both criticized the election for lacking democratic integrity.
Diplomatic Maneuvers and Domestic Unrest
In her fourth consecutive term, Hasina sought to bolster regional ties with India and China. A June visit to India resulted in ten new memorandums of understanding, while her subsequent visit to China, marked by a series of high-level meetings and the signing of 27 MOUs, was cut short over unmet financial promises.
Domestically, discontent grew. On June 5, the Dhaka High Court nullified Hasina’s 2018 order to abolish the quota system for descendants of freedom fighters, leading to widespread protests. These protests, which started with student strikes, evolved into nationwide demonstrations, with protesters blocking major routes and clashing with police.
Violence and Suppression
The situation deteriorated with violent clashes between protesters and the police. Reports of extrajudicial killings and torture fueled further unrest. Despite Hasina’s calls for peace and the temporary suspension of the High Court’s order, violence continued, exacerbated by curfews and internet outages. The burning of state broadcaster BTV’s headquarters and the National Disaster Management Agency in Dhaka highlighted the intensity of the protests.
Hasina’s attempts to suppress the unrest through heavy-handed measures only deepened the public’s dissatisfaction. The Supreme Court’s decision to reduce quotas for veterans’ descendants did little to pacify the protesters, who shifted their demands to Hasina’s resignation.
The Final Blow
The military’s intervention marked a turning point. As Hasina’s crackdown intensified, resulting in the deaths of 440 people, the army, previously loyal to her, refused to continue the violence. The military’s refusal to fire on protesters led to Hasina being cornered and forced to flee. Reports indicate that Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman, appointed by Hasina herself, gave her just 45 minutes to resign before ousting her from power and the country.
A New Era for Bangladesh
With Hasina’s departure, President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the dissolution of Bangladesh’s parliament. As Hasina takes refuge in India, an interim government is poised to take charge, signaling the beginning of a new era for Bangladesh.
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