By D. Maan, Jadetimes News
How Protests Ended Sheikh Hasina’s 15 Year Rule
The chant, "One, two, three, four, Sheikh Hasina is a dictator!" had become a powerful rallying cry for young Bangladeshis in recent weeks. On Monday, this rising tide of discontent culminated in the end of the prime minister's 15 year reign over the South Asian nation of 170 million.
At 76 years old, Sheikh Hasina had governed Bangladesh with a firm grip since 2009. Just a month ago, the idea of protests demanding her resignation seemed almost inconceivable. However, by Monday morning, the situation had reached a deadly impasse. The protests, which initially began over job quotas in early July, had evolved into a broader anti government movement calling for her removal.
The turning point came with the intensity of the clashes between protesters and police. Nearly 300 people have lost their lives in the violence so far, with Sunday alone witnessing at least 90 deaths, including 13 police officers making it the deadliest day of protests in Bangladesh’s recent history. Critics described the scene as “carnage,” yet despite the escalating violence, Hasina remained defiant.
On Monday, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets, with many heading towards Dhaka despite a nationwide curfew. The situation had transformed from a political movement into a full scale uprising, with citizens showing a newfound fearlessness.
The military's role in Hasina’s departure was significant. Historically, the army has had a strong influence on Bangladesh’s politics and has previously ruled the country. The weekend’s violence, coupled with the looming threat of further massive protests, would have pressured the military to reconsider its position. Junior officers had already expressed concerns about firing on civilians during a meeting with military chief General Waker Uz Zaman on Friday.
The prospect of continuing unrest and the military’s growing apprehension contributed to Hasina's decision to flee. Her choice to seek refuge in India was not surprising, given that Bangladesh’s giant neighbor has been a crucial ally throughout her tenure. India’s support was pivotal for Hasina, but as her popularity waned, anti India sentiment surged within Bangladesh.
India viewed its foothold in Bangladesh as essential for securing the northeastern states, which share borders with Bangladesh. Hasina had facilitated transit rights for India, allowing goods to reach these landlocked states, and had cracked down on anti India militant groups based in Bangladesh a key issue for India.
In recent weeks, India faced a dilemma: supporting an unpopular ally risked alienating the mass movement and potentially damaging long term relations with Bangladesh. Hasina's resignation has alleviated this problem.
Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh's founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was the world’s longest-serving female head of government. Her father, a key figure in the country's independence, was assassinated in a 1975 military coup, with only Hasina and her younger sister surviving as they were abroad at the time.
After living in exile in India, Hasina returned to Bangladesh in 1981 and became a prominent figure in the pro democracy movement, leading a popular uprising that established her as a national icon. She first assumed power in 1996 but lost to her rival Begum Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 2001. Hasina returned to power in 2009 under a caretaker government, enduring numerous accusations of corruption and authoritarianism.
Her administration faced allegations of forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the suppression of opposition figures, although she and her government frequently denied these charges and accused political opponents of inciting unrest. In recent weeks, Hasina’s party, the Awami League, continued to blame their political adversaries for the widespread unrest.
However, the scale and intensity of the protests against Hasina were unprecedented, marking the most serious challenge she had faced in her long tenure. Despite her resistance and attempts to label protesters as “terrorists,” the sheer force of the public’s anger proved overwhelming.
The realization that even the security establishment could not contain the mass uprising spelled trouble for any leader, especially an embattled one like Hasina. Her resignation marks a dramatic conclusion to a prolonged period of political dominance, reflecting a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle for democratic governance and accountability.
