“One, two, three, four, Sheikh Hasina is a dictator!”
These words had become a rallying cry for young Bangladeshis in recent weeks, and on Monday, their anger brought an end to the prime minister’s 15-year rule.
At 76 years old, Sheikh Hasina had governed the South Asian nation of 170 million with a firm grip since 2009. Just a month ago, protests demanding her resignation seemed unlikely. But by Monday morning, she found herself in a dire stalemate. The top court had abolished the job quotas that originally sparked the protests in early July, but the unrest had evolved into a broader anti-government movement calling for her removal.
The decisive factor was the intensity of the clashes between protesters and police on Sunday. With nearly 300 deaths reported from the violence so far, including at least 90 fatalities on Sunday alone—among them 13 police officers—this was the deadliest day of protests in Bangladesh’s recent history. Critics labeled it a “carnage,” even as Hasina stood firm.
By Monday, tens of thousands of Bangladeshis defied a nationwide curfew to march towards the capital, Dhaka, demonstrating that fear of violence had dissipated. What had begun as a political movement had transformed into a full-blown uprising.
Hasina’s resignation was also influenced by the military, which, given its historical role and significant political influence, likely pressured her to step down. The weekend’s violence and the looming threat of further massive protests would have prompted the military to reconsider its stance. Junior officers had already expressed concerns about firing on civilians during a meeting with the military chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, on Friday.
The future remains uncertain, but General Waker-Uz-Zaman is reportedly in discussions with various stakeholders, including opposition parties and civil society groups, to seek an “interim” solution, according to a high-level source familiar with the situation.
It’s no surprise that Sheikh Hasina has fled to India. While the specific advice she received from India is unclear, the country has been a crucial ally throughout her tenure. Her declining popularity in Bangladesh had led to increasing anti-India sentiment, partly due to India’s strategic interest in the region. Delhi saw its influence in Bangladesh as vital for the security of its northeastern states, some of which share borders with Bangladesh. Hasina had granted India transit rights for goods to these states and had suppressed anti-India militant groups within Bangladesh, addressing a significant concern for India.
However, in recent weeks, India faced a dilemma: supporting its unpopular ally risked alienating the mass movement against her and potentially harming long-term relations with Bangladesh. With Hasina’s resignation, this issue has been resolved.
