Why Sheikh Hasina had to flee Bangladesh — and the lesson from her ouster

Prof. Syed Munir Khasru
August 6, 2024

The Indian Express

As friends and neighbours of Bangladesh watched the political drama in the country unfold over the last few weeks, a question on top of everyone’s minds was: Will the longest-serving prime minister of Bangladesh manage this crisis as she has done on many occasions in the past? After coming to power in 2009 through a free, fair, and credible election, she subsequently presided over largely non-participative and controversial polls on three occasions — 2014, 2018, and 2024. She appeared to be near-invincible, her hold on power complete.

In a shocking turn of events, Hasina resigned on Monday, bringing an abrupt end to her 15-year reign. What began as peaceful student demonstrations quickly evolved into a nationwide movement, exposing the deep-seated discontent with Hasina’s increasingly authoritarian rule and the unchecked corruption, nepotism, and high-handedness that overshadowed whatever economic and development successes she flaunted, both at home and abroad.

This unexpected development serves as a stark reminder that economic progress alone cannot sustain a leader’s popularity in the face of eroding democratic values and civil liberties. Hasina’s tenure was marked by noteworthy economic achievements. Under her leadership, Bangladesh transformed from one of the world’s poorest nations into one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, even outpacing its larger neighbour, India. The country’s per capita income tripled in a decade, and the World Bank estimates that over 25 million people were lifted out of poverty in the last 20 years. Hasina’s government undertook ambitious infrastructure projects, such as the $2.9 billion Padma Bridge across the Ganges, using a combination of domestic funds, loans, and development assistance.

However, these economic gains came at a considerable cost. Parliamentary elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 were marred by low turnout, violence, and boycotts by opposition parties. Hasina’s government increasingly relied on hard power to maintain control, creating a climate of fear and repression. The Digital Security Act, implemented in 2018, became a potent weapon for the government and ruling party activists to silence critics and stifle freedom of expression, particularly online. Press freedom suffered, and civil rights were systematically suppressed as Hasina consolidated her position as the sole centre of power.

While the economy grew, so did the disparity between the haves and have-nots. Bank scams proliferated, and the list of loan defaulters ballooned. Companies like CLC Power, Western Marine Shipyard, and Remex Footwear topped the list of defaulters, with bad loans ranging from 965 crore to 1,649 crore Bangladeshi Taka. The growing economic inequality, coupled with rampant corruption, fuelled public discontent despite the overall economic progress.

The recent student movement that ultimately led to Hasina’s downfall began as a simple demand for quota removal in civil service jobs. What started as peaceful demonstrations at the University of Dhaka quickly spread to other elite institutions and then to the general public. The situation escalated when members of the Awami League’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, began attacking protesters, transforming a non-political movement into a broader uprising.

Hasina’s response to the protests proved to be her undoing. Her decision to deploy police and paramilitary forces against the students late last month backfired, igniting widespread public anger. The government’s heavy-handed approach, including the imposition of a strict curfew with a “shoot-on-sight” order, only served to galvanise the movement. Hasina’s ill-advised labelling of the demonstrators as “Razakars” — a term associated with collaborators during the 1971 war — further inflamed tensions.

As the protests gained momentum, they attracted support from diverse segments of society, including parents, teachers, and cultural activists. The movement transcended its initial demands and became a collective expression of frustration against 15 years of fear and harassment. The students’ refusal to engage in talks with the Prime Minister until their demands were met reflected the deep-seated mistrust and resentment.

Sheikh Hasina’s fall from grace serves as a cautionary tale for leaders who prioritise economic development at the expense of democratic values and civil liberties. Unlike her predecessors, such as the unpopular army chief H M Ershad who was jailed but did not flee the country, Hasina’s departure marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape. Her departure like a tinpot dictator fleeing in a helicopter from a secret location with a raging mob looting her official residence is reminiscent of scenes in movies.

The events in Bangladesh underscore the importance of balancing economic progress with democratic governance as well as transparency and accountability in the absence of which only few benefit at the expense of many. While Hasina’s economic achievements were commendable, her exercise of hard power and disregard for democratic norms ultimately led to her downfall. As Bangladesh moves forward, it faces the challenge of regaining its economic momentum while restoring faith in its democratic institutions and addressing inequalities that have emerged in recent years.

The resignation of Sheikh Hasina serves as a lesson that resonates not only in Bangladesh but across the globe, highlighting the delicate balance between socio-economic progress and democratic values, that matter no less to people for whom these have never been mutually exclusive.

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/why-sheikh-hasina-had-to-flee-bangladesh-and-the-lesson-from-her-ouster-9496746