Sheikh Hasina Wazed, Bangladesh's longest-serving prime minister, began her career as a celebrated pro-democracy leader but plunged into infamy following her departure amidst mass protests in August 2024 after a tumultuous 15-year rule. Following her ouster by a youth-led uprising, Hasina fled to India and has since faced a death sentence after being convicted of crimes against humanity due to her government's violent crackdown on dissenters.
According to investigations, up to 1,400 individuals lost their lives during the protests, many from gunfire by security forces. The unrest culminated in a wave of violence described as the worst in Bangladesh since its independence in 1971, leading up to her eventual downfall.
Hasina’s administration, credited for initiating significant economic advancements, especially in the garment sector, has been marred by accusations of autocracy in recent years. Critics argue that her once pro-democratic stance gave way to oppressive tactics against opposition figures, excessive police violence, and systematic suppression of political dissent.
An order to 'use lethal weapons'
In early 2024, Hasina faced a politically contentious election which was widely criticized as a sham. Following the election, protests grew against her decision to retain quotas in civil service jobs, escalating into a more profound anti-government movement. Leaks revealing her command to 'use lethal weapons' against protesters intensified the backlash against her administration.
On August 5, 2024, as crowds surged towards her residence, Hasina fled while security forces were left dealing with burning unrest, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Shortly after her departure, she was tried in absentia and her claims of political victimization failed to diminish the reality of the unrest that had engulfed her regime.
The path to power
Born into a politically charged environment, Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding leader, and rose through political ranks amidst a legacy of tumultuous eras characterized by military coups and partisan violence. After a series of political upheavals, she was first elected in 1996, achieving some notable successes but also facing allegations of corruption and favoritism towards India.
The rivalry with her long-time opposition, Khaleda Zia, filled the nation with political strife, often unclear where the lines between political rivalry and personal animosity began and ended. Both leaders have alternated power since the ‘90s, often leaving the Bangladesh populace to navigate through their profuse fallout.
Achievements tarnished by repression
Under Hasina's leadership from 2009 onwards, Bangladesh experienced significant economic growth, reducing poverty levels markedly. However, this progress came alongside severe criticisms of her government’s heavy-handed dealing with dissent and human rights violations that have drawn international condemnation.
In the wake of her departure and subsequent developments, the future of Bangladesh remains uncertain as political dynamics shift and many citizens vie for accountability and meaningful governance free from the shadows of oppression that have, for so long, capped the nation’s potential.
