Introduction
Bangladesh recently saw a peaceful protest against a government-introduced quota turn into one of the violent demonstrations that have brought Sheikh Hasina’s government to its knees. Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of the first President and the Father of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a combined period of 20 years. This makes her the longest-serving female head of the government.
The riots began when the High Court announced the introduction of quotas reserving 30% of all civil service jobs for the children and grandchildren of Bangladesh’s freedom fighters. The quota reform movement was initially started by the students and faculties of government colleges. Still, students of private colleges soon joined in to voice out against the quotas and the authoritarian government under Hasina.
Sheikh Hasina, the Democrat who turned Despot
The once-adored democrat who brought in different schemes and policies that significantly developed the country was forced to flee her country like a renegade amidst protests demanding her immediate resignation. But what exactly was she like as a leader to the people of Bangladesh?
Initially, Hasina was very actively voicing out her displeasure with the then leaders of the country, which resulted in her being placed under house arrest multiple times. She condemned the military rule in the country and demanded basic human rights for the people of Bangladesh. She and the people of Bangladesh had successfully ousted the last military ruler. Still, Hasina failed to secure the required number of seats in the first-ever election that took place in Bangladesh in 1991. But Hasina was elected as the Prime Minister in the 1996 elections and completed the full 5 years tenure making her the first leader to do so. Even though the country’s economy grew under her, political unrest was predominant. She was then re-elected as PM of the country in the 2009 elections and remained the PM until 5th August when she resigned and fled the country.
Hasina and her party, however, came under fire for allegedly repressing the opposition throughout their tenure in office. The administration appeared to suppress dissent and free speech at times, and several opposition members were detained or put on trial. Additionally, it was found that under her leadership, corruption, red tape, money laundering, and specifically, ethnic cleansing of minorities in Bangladesh had increased tremendously.
Reviving the Civil Disobedience Movement in the Modern Era
This movement initially started against the quota reservations in civil services for the children and the grandchildren of freedom fighters who fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. This soon turned into anti-government and pro-democratic protests which questioned the rule of Sheikh Hasina as a democratic leader because of the increasing violence and actions taken against people who opposed her. Paired with the allegations that her party had rigged the election results which led to her party’s victory and establishment of a one-party rule, people were extremely displeased with her and her government.
The protests soon turned violent due to the government's response of shutting down the internet throughout the country, implementing a curfew and a shoot-at-sight order for anyone who breaks this curfew. The government soon resorted to shutting down all institutions and mobilising its student body called the Chhatra League to control the protesters who used ammunition and other weapons against the protesters leading to a casualty of around 300 by August 5th and around 20,000 people were injured. The government also deployed the police, border guards, and the Bangladesh Army to deal with the protesters.
Termed as the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement, the protesters first only demanded an apology from Sheikh Hasina, then demanded that she and her cabinet resign and that Hasina take full responsibility for the deaths. However, after a few days, the Supreme Court released an order revoking the quota reservations and asked the protesters not to continue the protest. But the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement declared that unless Hasina and her cabinet resigned and the authorities and officials who were involved in the death of several protesters and bystanders were imprisoned, the protests would continue.
On the 5th of August 2024, many protesters marched towards Gono Bhaban, Sheikh Hasina’s residence in Dhaka. Higher military officials and Hasina’s family members persuaded her to flee the country because the police could no longer keep the protesters at bay as they had almost run out of ammunition and some officials even refused to shoot the protesters anymore. Hasina, even though reluctant, had to agree to leave Bangladesh and seek asylum in India where arrangements were already made.
Hasina resigned on the same date and left Gono Bhaban by helicopter. During her departure, all internet connections were cut to avoid her location being leaked to the protesters. She took the Bangladesh Air Force’s C-130 Hercules aircraft from Dhaka airport to India. In India, she was welcomed by senior military officials and was taken to an undisclosed place to keep her safe. On the 13th of August, a murder charge was imposed on her and six other officials for the murder of a grocery shop owner, Abu Sayeed in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur. Now that Hasina is out of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus took oath on the 8th of August as the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh in the presence of President Mohammad Shahabuddin till the next election.
Given this political unrest within Bangladesh and its history of corrupted and autocratic leaders, will the country and its youth finally see a new dawn with democratic leaders and opportunities? What is at stake for the youth of Bangladesh? How does the ousting of Sheikh Hasina impact the India-Bangladesh relations?
Mahalakshmi Baskar
Research Intern, Centre for IR and Strategic Studies
References
Ethirajan, A. (2024, August 7). Sheikh Hasina: Inside her final hours as a hated autocrat. Sheikh Hasina: Inside her final hours as a hated autocrat
Alam, R. (2024, August 13). Bangladesh crisis: Murder case filed against Hasina; her party calls for Dhaka rally on August 15. The Hindu. Bangladesh crisis: court orders probe against former PM Sheikh Hasina - The Hindu
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2024, August 13). Sheikh Hasina Wazed | Biography, Resignation, Father, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. Sheikh Hasina Wazed | Biography, Resignation, Father, & Facts | Britannica
Alam, R. (2024, August 13). Bangladesh crisis: Murder case filed against Hasina; her party calls for Dhaka rally on August 15. The Hindu. Bangladesh crisis: court orders probe against former PM Sheikh Hasina - The Hindu
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