From State Guest to Asylum Seeker: The Fall of Sheikh Hasina Wajid

Just days ago, Sheikh Hasina Wajid, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, was received as a state guest in India. Now, she finds herself seeking asylum in the same country. The dramatic shift in her circumstances underscores the volatile nature of political power and public sentiment in South Asia.

Sheikh Hasina Wajid, who enjoyed a long tenure of fifteen years as the Prime Minister, was once the favorite of the military. However, recent events have drastically altered her standing. With increasing public protests, the military shifted its stance, demanding her resignation. Faced with mounting pressure, Sheikh Hasina fled to India in an army helicopter, signaling a significant turn of events that transformed a democratic regime into a military-backed democracy.

The once-popular Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina Wajid, had seen its support wane. The situation in Bangladesh mirrored the chaos witnessed in Sri Lanka. Students stormed the Prime Minister’s House, treating it like spoils of war. In the recent elections, voter turnout was abysmally low, with many citizens boycotting the polls. Despite the clear signs of public discontent, Sheikh Hasina failed to recognize the brewing unrest. Her pre-emptive arrests of opposition leaders before the elections only accelerated her downfall.

The final spark that ignited the widespread protests was the controversial quota system, which ultimately swept away her government. Like many South Asian leaders, Sheikh Hasina was gripped by a fervent desire to cling to power, enjoying the perks of leadership and the international travel that came with it. However, this led to her downfall, as she ignored the writing on the wall, leading to her eventual humiliation.

The Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina Wajid, no longer enjoyed the popularity it once had. Even in the recent elections, voter turnout was very low, with most people boycotting the elections. Yet, Hasina Wajid failed to perceive the simmering discontent among the public. By imprisoning opposition parties before the elections, she had already hammered the last nail in the coffin of her government. All it took was a small spark in the form of the quota system to sweep away Hasina Wajid’s government.

Like many South Asian leaders, Hasina Wajid was afflicted with the fever of holding onto power indefinitely. They want to enjoy the perks of power as long as they are alive, intoxicated by the protocol and free world tours, which eventually only lead to disgrace. Yet, no one reads the writing on the wall.

Now, only Allah can bestow honor or disgrace upon someone. Muhammad Yunus, the founder of microfinance banking and a Nobel laureate, who had been imprisoned by Hasina’s government, is now being released immediately and appointed as an advisor in the interim government.

READ MORE: What happens next after Bangladesh PM Hasina resigns?