Sheikh Hasina, the 15-year Prime Minister of Bangladesh, resigned on August 5, 2024, under widespread agitation and civil unrest. Under mounting pressure, she fled to India, where she is currently residing in close protection.
Ever since she left, the caretaker government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, has initiated investigations into corruption charges under Hasina's regime. The probes uncovered extensive embezzlement and money laundering with some of the former regime's members implicated.
One of them is the case of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, who was the minister of land in the past and amassed a global property empire of around $295 million during Hasina's regime. The interim government is eager to recover these properties, arguing that they were acquired illegally.
Additionally, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission has expanded its investigation into money laundering activities involving Hasina's relatives, including her niece, British MP Tulip Siddiq. The ACC is collaborating with investigators in 12 nations to locate and recover the stolen funds.
These reports indicate the ongoing efforts to probe the alleged corruption and financial improprieties committed under Sheikh Hasina's administration.
Ever since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down in August 2024, the political landscape in Bangladesh has drastically altered. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, now leading the caretaker government, is finding it hard to restore public security and prepare for elections in the face of ongoing unrest. Nahid Islam, chief of the newly formed National Citizens' Party (NCP), has queried the feasibility of a general election by the end of 2025 due to the challenges.
The caretaker government is actively pursuing the return of assets that were allegedly embezzled during Hasina's tenure. One such high-profile case is that of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, the former land minister, who had allegedly amassed a global property empire of around $295 million. The government is attempting to recover these assets, stating that they were acquired illegally.
In addition, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating properties linked to Tulip Siddiq, a British MP and niece of the former prime minister. The ACC is probing allegations of self-enrichment concerning a family vacation home in Kanaiya among other properties. Siddiq has not commented on any wrongdoing, while her father, who owns the property, has been questioned on how he obtained it.
These actions underscore the interim government's resolve to address alleged corruption and financial malfeasance associated with the previous government. However, challenges persist in stabilizing the situation and setting the stage for future elections amidst the current political transition.
Previous history
Sheikh Hasina, born on 28 September 1947 in Tungipara, a village in the Gopalganj district of Bangladesh, is a prominent political figure who has shaped the modern history of the country. She is the longest-serving prime minister in Bangladeshi history, having served a number of terms. Her political career, which has spanned decades, has been marked by both unprecedented achievements and unfathomable challenges. Sheikh Hasina is well known for her strength and persistence and has been a center of Bangladesh politics, leaving an indelible mark on the economic, social, and political development of the country.
Sheikh Hasina's life was steeped in politics from an early age, with her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, being the founding father of Bangladesh and the country's first president. Her life is overshadowed by her father's legacy, and she was closely associated with him in her early years. She was brought up in a political environment and was highly influenced by the ideals of nationalism, democracy, and the fight for the rights of Bengali individuals. However, her life took a dramatic turn when, in 1975, Sheikh Mujib and almost all members of his family were assassinated in a military coup. Sheikh Hasina, who was on a visit to West Germany, narrowly escaped death. The assassination of her family members stunned the country, and Hasina spent several years in exile.
During her exile, Hasina was engaged with the Bengali diaspora and did not give up on her father's vision of an independent, democratic Bangladesh. She resided in India and the US and tirelessly kept her father's memory alive and made people aware of the political situation in Bangladesh. Her exile was filled with personal loss and political uncertainty. However, it was also a time of reflection and planning for the eventual return to Bangladesh. In 1981, after years in exile, Sheikh Hasina returned to Bangladesh, where she immediately became active in politics.
Sheikh Hasina took over the leadership of her father's political party, the Awami League, upon her return. The Awami League, a key actor in the struggle for independence, had been in disarray following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Hasina's leadership helped to revive the party and restore its status as one of the country's leading political parties. Sheikh Hasina's return to Bangladesh marked the beginning of her political career in the country, which would see her rise to power several times in the subsequent decades.
In 1996, after decades of political agitation, Sheikh Hasina's Awami League came to power for the first time. Her premiership, which lasted until 2001, was marked by earnest efforts to stabilize the country, bring about economic progress, and improve the welfare of the Bangladeshi people. One of her notable achievements during this period was the initiation of several infrastructural development projects, including the construction of roads, bridges, and power plants, that worked to improve the economic condition of the country. In addition, Sheikh Hasina focused on enhancing Bangladesh's international image by strengthening diplomatic relations with world superpowers.
However, her term was also marred by controversy. Political rivalries, particularly with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Khaleda Zia, often led to political instability and violence. The political climate during this period was characterized by intense polarization and the extensive use of strikes and demonstrations as a political means of expression. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League lost the general elections in 2001, and Khaleda Zia became prime minister.
The following years saw Sheikh Hasina facing intense political adversity. The period between 2001 and 2006 was marked by political unrest and the collapse of several governments. In 2006, after years of political deadlock, a military-backed interim government took power, which created an environment of uncertainty in the country. However, Sheikh Hasina, undeterred by these setbacks, made her political comeback in the 2008 general elections when her Awami League swept to a landslide victory, and she became the prime minister once again.
Her second stint as the prime minister since 2009 has been marked by sweeping political, economic, and social reforms. Under her leadership, Bangladesh has experienced rapid economic growth, with the country achieving some of the highest GDP growth rates in the world.
The growth has been fueled by a myriad of factors, including the expansion of the garment industry, growth of the services sector, and an increase in remittances sent by Bangladeshis working and residing abroad. The Sheikh Hasina government has also focused on infrastructure, education, and healthcare development, which has led to declining rates of poverty and progress in key human development indicators.
One of the biggest successes of Sheikh Hasina has been her focus on women's empowerment. She has been a strong advocate for women's and girls' rights throughout her political career. Her government has implemented several policies to increase the number of women in the workforce and attain gender equality.
Hasina herself is also widely seen as a role model for Bangladeshi women, demonstrating that women can be strong and lead the country with strength and determination. Under her leadership, Bangladesh has seen an increase in women in government, as well as improvements in education and healthcare for women and girls.
In addition to her focus on domestic issues, Sheikh Hasina has been a driving force behind Bangladesh's foreign policy. Under her rule, the country has sought to strengthen its ties with neighbor India, a relationship that in the past had been tense. Hasina's government has sought to resolve trade problems, border disputes, and water-sharing treaties, and relations between the two countries have vastly improved. She has also sought to cement Bangladesh's ties with other countries, particularly in the Middle East, where Bangladesh has a massive diaspora.
Despite her many achievements, Sheikh Hasina's leadership has not been controversy-free. Her government has been criticized by opposition political parties and human rights organizations for its handling of opposition and dissent. There have been accusations of authoritarianism, with critics pointing to the silencing of political opposition, restrictions on press freedom, and the use of state power to undermine rivals. The arrest of leading opposition politicians, including former Premier Khaleda Zia, has been particularly contentious. Critics argue that these actions are damaging to Bangladeshi democracy and political pluralism.
Yet, the allies of Sheikh Hasina argue that her leadership has played a key role in stabilizing the country and setting it on the trajectory of development.
They point to her government's success in expanding the economy, reducing poverty, and improving social development as evidence of her commitment to the welfare of the people of Bangladesh. They also note that under her leadership, Bangladesh has gained a stronger voice in the world, with the country playing a greater role in international affairs.
Sheikh Hasina remains a controlling force in Bangladeshi politics to this day. Her leadership has transformed the country in numerous ways, and she is still at the hub of the nation's political and economic existence. Although her reign has been tainted by controversies along with successes, one cannot deny that she has left an indelible mark on the history of Bangladesh.
No matter if she is viewed as a hero of democracy and progress or as a leader who has exchanged political liberties for power consolidation, Sheikh Hasina's influence on the country cannot be exaggerated. She has navigated Bangladesh through times of unprecedented challenge and transformation, and her legacy will shape the country for generations to come.
