Sheikh Hasina: Power, Protests, and Bloodstained Politics
Bangladesh’s history has always been intertwined with struggle, sacrifice, and political turmoil. Born out of a bloody war of independence from Pakistan in 1971, the nation’s foundation is steeped in tales of blood and tears. However, in recent years, particularly under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, the country descended into a phase where democracy seemed to be on its deathbed. Hasina, who portrayed herself as the heir to Bangladesh’s liberation legacy, transformed the nation into a hereditary monarchy in her pursuit of power. This is the story of a woman who ascended to the throne on the back of her father’s legacy but spilled the blood of her people to maintain it. It’s a tale of oppression, brutality, and a system that cloaked itself in democracy while embodying authoritarianism. Moreover, a dark facet of this narrative is the perception of Hasina as an Indian proxy, serving India’s interests while compromising Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Sheikh Hasina’s Political Legacy: Riding on Her Father’s Coattails
Sheikh Hasina’s story begins with her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and first president of Bangladesh. Mujib, the leader of the Awami League, spearheaded the liberation movement against Pakistan and played a pivotal role in the 1971 war. However, in 1975, a military coup led to the brutal assassination of Mujib and most of his family. Hasina and her sister Rehana survived, living in exile abroad. This tragedy became the cornerstone of Hasina’s political narrative. Returning to Bangladesh in 1981, she took over the Awami League and leveraged her father’s legacy as her source of strength.
Critics argue that Hasina’s political career was built not on merit but on dynastic privilege. She repeatedly invoked her father’s sacrifices, presenting herself as the inheritor of the liberation struggle. In reality, Hasina never fought any significant struggle herself. She ascended to power primarily because she was Mujib’s daughter. Her first term as prime minister from 1996 to 2001 was relatively unremarkable, but after returning to power in 2009, she revealed her authoritarian streak. Rigged elections, jailed opposition leaders, and media censorship became her tools. The elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024 were labeled “fraudulent” by international observers, with opponents either arrested or sidelined. Hasina weaponized her father’s legacy to build a personal empire, consolidating power at the expense of democracy.
Quota System Over Merit: A Foundation of Division and Injustice
One of Hasina’s most controversial policies was the implementation of a quota system in government jobs and educational institutions. This system prioritized freedom fighters and their families, but in practice, it became a tool to favor Awami League supporters and loyalists. In 2018, students protested against this system, only to be brutally suppressed. In 2024, when the Supreme Court ordered a reduction in the quota, students took to the streets again. This time, the protests snowballed into a nationwide movement. Critics argue that the quota system undermined merit, fostering corruption and nepotism. Thousands of deserving youths were denied opportunities while Hasina’s family and party loyalists amassed wealth. This policy became a wound for Bangladesh’s youth, who constitute over 60% of the population.
Student Movement and State Repression: A Bloodbath
In July 2024, when students protested against the quota system, it began as a peaceful movement. However, Hasina’s government responded with unrestrained state violence. Dhaka University, once a hub of the liberation movement, became a battlefield of oppression. Police and Awami League’s student wing, Chhatra League, attacked protesters with bullets, tear gas, and batons. Hundreds of students were killed. One heart-wrenching incident involved Abu Sayed, a young man from a poor family. While peacefully protesting, he faced police gunfire. In a viral video, he is seen shouting, “Shoot me in the chest!” Moments later, he fell, riddled with bullets. Abu Sayed’s martyrdom became a symbol of the movement.
Similarly, Mirajul Islam, a young dreamer, was killed by police bullets. The movement claimed over 1,000 lives, mostly students. The government shut down the internet, cut communications, and censored the media to suppress the truth. Drones, helicopters, and advanced weaponry were deployed. Hospitals overflowed with the wounded, but doctors were ordered not to treat them. All this was done in the name of “national security,” but it was blatant authoritarianism.
Role of State Institutions: A Conspiracy to Hide the Truth
Post-mortems of the deceased revealed attempts to manipulate reports under government pressure. Doctors were instructed to list “head injuries” instead of bullet wounds as the cause of death. Some were offered vacations or overseas trips to comply. However, a few courageous doctors refused and exposed the truth: the deaths were caused by police firing. This was not an isolated incident. During Hasina’s 15-year rule, over 600 cases of enforced disappearances were reported. Opponents were abducted, tortured, and vanished. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was dubbed a “death squad” for its extrajudicial killings. Opposition leader Khaleda Zia of the BNP was imprisoned, and Jamaat-e-Islami was suppressed. The 2010 war crimes tribunal was used as a tool to punish opponents.
Hasina as an Indian Proxy: Compromising Bangladesh’s Sovereignty
A darker chapter in this story is Hasina’s perceived role as an Indian proxy. Critics argue she acted as India’s puppet, safeguarding Delhi’s interests while undermining Bangladesh’s sovereignty. In 2009, India aided in suppressing the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny. Hasina prioritized India’s security concerns, weakening ties with China and Pakistan. India supported her in elections, and in return, Bangladesh was reduced to a vassal state. Issues like the Teesta River water-sharing, border disputes, and economic interests were resolved in India’s favor. Hasina’s government received backing from India’s deep state, eroding Bangladesh’s autonomy. When she fled in August 2024, she sought refuge in India, reinforcing this narrative. Today, anti-India sentiment is rife among Bangladeshis, who view Hasina as India’s stooge.
Unrestrained Use of State Power and the Plight of Victims’ Families
The state machinery was fully deployed to crush the protests. The wounded were abducted from hospitals, and families were threatened. Parents of the martyred still cry out, “We don’t want money; we want justice.” Hasina offered compensation to silence them, but they refused. These were human lives sacrificed to preserve power.
The Cost of Power: A Hereditary Monarchy
Under Hasina, Bangladesh resembled a hereditary monarchy more than a democracy. Dissent was crushed, and no space for opposition remained. In August 2024, a popular uprising forced her to resign, and she fled to India. She now faces charges of murder and genocide, with cases filed in international courts.
A Hope for Justice
Bangladesh’s students and people still await justice. The sacrifices of Abu Sayed and Mirajul Islam remind us that no matter how powerful oppression is, the people’s voice eventually breaks through. Hasina’s story is a lesson that the lust for power can turn a leader into a tyrant. The question remains: will Bangladesh give birth to a system that respects its people’s rights, or will another “Hasina” repeat history? With Muhammad Yunus leading an interim government, the nation has a chance to restore democracy and hold Hasina accountable. Bangladesh is free, but the struggle to preserve that freedom continues.
