Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Resigns, Ending 15 Years in Power

On August 5, 2024, Bangladesh experienced a monumental shift in its political landscape. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had held power for 15 consecutive years, abruptly tendered her resignation and left the country. This shocking development was confirmed by a reliable Army source to Reuters, adding that Hasina departed alongside her sister.

The news of Hasina’s resignation spread rapidly, triggering immediate and intense reactions across the nation:

1. Protesters, emboldened by the news, stormed the Prime Minister’s official palace. Television channels broadcast live footage of hundreds of demonstrators breaching security and entering the premises, symbolizing the collapse of Hasina’s authority.
2. Bangladesh’s Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, was reported to be preparing to address the nation. This announcement fueled speculation about potential military intervention or oversight during this critical transition period.
3. Behind the scenes, General Waker-Uz-Zaman was said to be engaged in urgent discussions with various political leaders, attempting to navigate the sudden power vacuum and maintain stability.

The timing of Hasina’s resignation was particularly significant, coming just one day after a violent protest resulted in the deaths of 94 people. This tragic event underscored the escalating tensions and the government’s increasingly tenuous grip on power.

The Catalyst: Student Protests and Government Crackdown

Origins of the Unrest

The seeds of discontent that led to Hasina’s downfall were sown in July 2024. The government announced a controversial quota system for government jobs, giving preference to families of freedom fighters – those who fought for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. This decision reignited long-standing debates about merit, fairness, and the legacy of the independence movement.

Despite an initial ruling by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court to dismiss the quota order, protests continued to gain momentum. The situation was further inflamed when Prime Minister Hasina referred to the protesting students as ‘razakar’ (traitors), a highly charged term in Bangladesh’s political lexicon.

Government’s Heavy-Handed Response

As protests intensified, the Hasina government resorted to increasingly drastic measures in an attempt to regain control:

1. A complete suspension of internet services, including broadband, was implemented nationwide. This move aimed to disrupt communication among protesters and limit the spread of information.
2. All platforms owned by Meta, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, were banned. These social media and messaging services had been crucial tools for organizers and protesters.
3. The government declared a three-day national holiday, hoping to keep people at home and off the streets.

However, these measures proved counterproductive, serving only to further anger the populace and strengthen their resolve.

The “Long March to Dhaka”

In response to the government’s actions, student protesters organized under the banner “Students Against Discrimination.” They launched a bold initiative called the “Long March to Dhaka,” with the explicit goal of forcing Prime Minister Hasina from office.

This march represented a significant escalation in the protest movement, transforming it from a series of isolated demonstrations into a coordinated, nationwide campaign. Thousands of students from across Bangladesh began converging on the capital, presenting a formidable challenge to the government’s authority.

Sheikh Hasina’s Political Journey: From Tragedy to Power

To understand the significance of Hasina’s fall from power, it’s crucial to examine her long and complex political career.

Early Life and Entry into Politics

Sheikh Hasina’s life has been inextricably linked with Bangladesh’s political history:

• Born in 1947, she is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, revered as the founding father of Bangladesh and the principal architect of its independence from Pakistan.
• In 1971, during Bangladesh’s war of independence, Hasina was briefly detained for her participation in pro-independence activities.
• Tragedy struck on August 15, 1975, when Hasina’s father, mother, and three brothers were assassinated in a military coup. Hasina and her sister, who were abroad at the time, were the only immediate family members to survive.

Rise to Political Prominence

Following the assassination of her family, Hasina’s path to leadership was marked by both exile and eventual triumph:

• She spent six years in exile, during which time she was elected to lead the Awami League, Bangladesh’s largest and most influential political organization founded by her father.
• Hasina returned to Bangladesh in 1981, positioning herself as a champion of democracy in a country that had experienced significant political turmoil.
• Throughout the 1980s, she emerged as a leading voice against military rule, advocating for human rights and democratic governance.

Political Career Milestones

• In 1986, Hasina became the leader of the opposition in the Bangladesh parliament, using her position to challenge the military government.
• She played a crucial role in the movement that led to the resignation of Lt Gen Hussain Mohammad Ershad in 1990, marking the end of military rule.
• In 1991, Bangladesh held its first free general election in 16 years. Although Hasina’s party did not secure a majority, this marked a significant step towards democracy.
• Hasina was first elected as Prime Minister in 1996, beginning her long tenure at the helm of Bangladesh’s government.

Controversies and Criticisms: The Dark Side of Hasina’s Rule

Throughout her time in power, Hasina faced numerous accusations of authoritarian behavior and suppression of opposition voices.

Allegations of Authoritarianism

Critics argue that Hasina’s rule became increasingly autocratic over time:

• There were frequent arrests and trials of opposition members, often on charges that international observers deemed politically motivated.
• In 2013, the Jamaat-e-Islami party, a key component of the opposition coalition, was banned from participating in elections. The court ruled that its religious charter was inconsistent with Bangladesh’s secular constitution, but many saw this as a move to weaken the opposition.
• Before the January 2024 general elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) claimed that more than 20,000 of its leaders, members, and supporters had been arrested since October 2023, raising serious questions about the fairness of the electoral process.

The Quota System Controversy

The recent protests that led to Hasina’s downfall were rooted in a long-standing and contentious issue:

• In 1972, Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, introduced a 30% quota in civil service and public sector jobs for descendants of those who participated in the 1971 war of independence.
• In October 2018, facing protests, Hasina agreed to abolish all reservations in government jobs.
• However, in June 2024, the High Court nullified that decision and reinstated the quotas, sparking fresh outrage.
• Even when the Supreme Court intervened to reduce the quota, the protests had already evolved into a broader movement against Hasina’s government, encompassing various grievances.

The Final Days: From Protest to Resignation

The situation in Bangladesh rapidly deteriorated in the days leading up to Hasina’s resignation:

1. Violent clashes between protesters and security forces resulted in nearly 100 deaths, shocking the nation and drawing international condemnation.
2. Students began questioning why the third generation of freedom fighters should still receive benefits, arguing for a purely merit-based recruitment system in government jobs.
3. The protests expanded beyond the initial quota issue, encompassing broader concerns about governance, corruption, and political freedoms under Hasina’s rule.
4. As the “Long March to Dhaka” gained momentum, it became clear that the movement had widespread support across different segments of society, not just students.
5. Reports began to circulate that Hasina had fled to Finland, although these were not immediately confirmed.
6. On August 5, 2024, facing unprecedented pressure and with the situation spiraling out of control, Sheikh Hasina made the decision to resign and leave the country.