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Rise and Fall of Sheikh Hasina: Sheikh Hasina Wazed is a famous Bengali politician and leader of the Awami League political party. She served as the prime minister of Bengal for five terms. Her fifth term began following her win in the January 2024 general elections. However, since independence, Bangladesh has witnessed most of its leaders fleeing or being killed. Once again, the country is on fire with about 300 people being killed in violent anti-government protests. These protests have led to Sheikh Hasina resigning from her 15-year-long dominance. In this blog, you will read all about the rise and fall of Sheikh Hasina.
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The Political Rise of Sheikh Hasina
Below we have provided important details about the remarkable journey of Sheikh Hasina to becoming the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. You will read about how the country got its first Prime Minister, the establishment of martial law in Bangladesh, and events that led to Sheikh Hasina occupying the post.
1. 1975: Independence of Bangladesh
Earlier known as East Pakistan, Bangladesh was established as a newly independent nation on 17 December 1971. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a popular freedom fighter in the eyes of the people, became the first prime minister of Bangladesh in 1972. Later on, he introduced the one-party system in Bangladesh and assumed the presidency in January 1975.
Just seven months later, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with his wife and three sons, was assassinated by soldiers on August 15, 1975. Then, Khondaker Mushtaq Ahmad, who was serving as the commerce minister, rose to power with the help of the army. He declared himself as the head of the interim government.
However, his tenure was short-lived. He was removed from power by the army’s chief of staff, Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf on November 3, 1975. After continuous turmoil in the country, General Ziaur Rahman assumed the ultimate power on November 7.
2. 1981 – 1983 Establishment of Martial Law in Bangladesh
It took less than 6 years for the revolts in the country to take down General Ziaur Rahman from power. At last, he was assassinated on May 30, 1981. Following his demise, Abdus Sattar, Rahman’s vice-president took over as interim president. He was supported by many powerful and influential people, including General Hussain Muhammad Ershad.
However, Ershad turned on Sattar and overthrew his government within a year on March 24, 1982. Soon after occupying power, Ershad imposed martial law in Bangladesh and made Ahsanuddin Chowdhury the president of the country.
3. 1990: General Hussain Muhammad Ershad Resigns
On December 11, 1983, Ershad declared himself as the head of the state. However, he was soon removed from office due to widespread protests for democracy in Bangladesh.
Ershad resigned as president on December 6, 1990, and was arrested on December 12. He was imprisoned for corruption. Justice Minister Shahabuddin Ahmed took over as interim leader until elections could be held the following year.
4. 1991: First Free Elections of Bangladesh
In 1991, Bangladesh finally witnessed its first free elections. The conclusion established the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as the clear winner. Khaleda Zia, General Ziaur Rahman’s widow became the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh.
She was succeeded by her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Mujibur Rahman. However, the reign of BNP was defeated by Hasina’s Awami League at the ballot box in 1996.
The BNP soon returned to power in 2001. It established Khaleda Zia as the prime minister of the country until her term of office was completed in October 2006.
5. 2007: Emergency in Bangladesh
In 2007, Iajuddin Ahmed declared a state of emergency in Bangladesh. He was supported by the army and motivated by the anti-government protests happening in the country.
The military-led government of Bangladesh initiated an anti-corruption purge in the country. This led to the imprisonment of Hasina and Zia on several accusations. They were released later in 2008.
In the December 2008 elections, Sheikh Hasina again became the prime minister of Bangladesh.
Also Read: What is the Story of Formation of Bangladesh?
The Fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Government in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has been a victim of political upheaval ever since it gained independence. Recently, hundreds of people marched to Dhaka and stormed into the PM’s palace followed by the military imposing a curfew and cutting off internet access. In this section, we will explore the details of how Sheikh Hasina’s government came to a dramatic end.
1. Reasons for protests in Bangladesh
The primary motive of protestors in Bangladesh was the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. According to estimates, thousands of students came on the streets to protest against the controversial quota system that allocated government jobs. Protests, which began somewhere around July, turned violent as students clashed with government and security officials.
2. Student protests
Protests led by Bangladeshi students put forth their only demand, the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her Cabinet. They blame the prime minister of the country for the sudden surge in violence. In turn, Sheikh Hasina accused the protestors of vandalising destruction. She also cut off the internet for the second time.
Sheikh Hasina further mentioned that students who were a part of such protests which caused massive destruction are no longer students. She announced that they should be handled as criminals.
Source: France 24
3. Sheikh Hasina flees the country
The protests showed no signs of calming down, putting Hasina’s 15-year-long dominance over the country in grave danger. Accordingly, the ex-Prime Minister of Bangladesh fled the country on an Air Force 1 on Monday afternoon. Soon after her departure from Bangladesh, the army chief confirmed that Sheikh Hasina had officially resigned from her post.
4. Army Chief’s Statement
Bangladesh’s army chief General Waker-Us-Zaman announced the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. He also announced that other party leaders and the military would form an interim government.
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FAQs
Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, resigned from her post and fled the country after hundreds of people were killed during protests against the government.
Hasina’s father was assassinated along with other family members in a military coup in 1975. Only Hasina and her younger sister survived as they both were travelling abroad.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday. This is because the protests were unending and hundreds of people were killed in anti-government protests.
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