Image Credits: Telegraph India
Sheikh Hasina, the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh, remains one of the most influential and divisive figures in the nation’s political sphere. Her career, spanning over four decades, embodies a complex blend of remarkable achievements and significant controversies, reflecting the turbulent evolution of modern Bangladesh.
Born in 1947, Sheikh Hasina’s life has been deeply intertwined with the birth and development of Bangladesh. Her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was a pivotal leader in the country’s struggle for independence from Pakistan in 1971. The profound impact of the liberation war on Hasina’s early life shaped her political ideology and commitment to her father’s legacy. Following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, Hasina spent years in exile before returning to Bangladesh in the late 1980s, reentering a fraught political landscape.
Assuming leadership of the Awami League, the party founded by her father, Hasina became its president in 1981. Her ascent to power was marked by a historic milestone in 1996 when she became Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister. Her initial term was characterized by significant economic progress, including liberalization policies, enhanced foreign investment, and a notable improvement in living standards. Her administration also catalyzed Bangladesh’s rise in the global garment industry and implemented impactful educational and healthcare reforms.
However, Hasina’s tenure has not been without controversy. Her administration has faced criticism for its strained relationship with the judiciary, leading to concerns about the erosion of judicial independence. Additionally, her handling of political dissent, particularly regarding the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, has drawn ire from human rights organizations. The 2006-2008 political crisis, marked by violent protests and a military-backed interim government, further shadowed her leadership.
Returning to power in 2009 with a decisive victory, Hasina began a new chapter in her political journey. Despite securing two additional terms, her leadership has been marred by allegations of electoral fraud and political intimidation. Critics argue that her administration has seen a decline in democratic freedoms and an increasing concentration of power. Supporters, however, credit her with continued economic development and ambitious infrastructure projects, viewing her as a transformative figure for Bangladesh.
As Sheikh Hasina approaches the twilight of her political career, her legacy is a subject of intense debate. While some hail her as a visionary leader who has steered Bangladesh from a war-torn past to economic growth, others criticize her for undermining democratic principles and curtailing political freedoms. The enduring question remains whether her contributions to the nation’s progress outweigh the controversies that have defined her tenure.