Sheikh Hasina, Nahid Islam, 45 Minutes and the Explosive Turmoil in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Government Sheikh Hasina Overthrown

In Short

Dramatic Last Hours: Sheikh Hasina’s Quick Exit from Dhaka After Son’s Call. Regime Falls Led By 26 Year Student Leader Nahid Islam

Sheikh Hasina Fled Bangladesh

Let the story begin with the unknown name to the world.

Nahid Islam: The Student Leader Catalyzing Change Across Bangladesh

In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on Saturday following weeks of fiery anti-quota and anti-government protests that have rocked the country. Mass protests led by student leader Nahid Islam dramatically altered the political landscape of the nation. It began as a call for reform of the quota system in government jobs but quickly transformed into a pan-Bangladesh movement for the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.

Defying the countrywide curfew, protesters stormed into the Prime Minister’s residence on Monday and proclaimed the victory of the people’s movement. That would be a real climax to the countrywide movements staged by Nahid Islam, the key figure behind the student movement.

Who is Nahid Islam?

Nahid Islam The Student Leader of Bagladesh Creating Historic Change

Nahid Islam is a student in the Department of Sociology, Dhaka University, and a human rights defender. He is one of the national coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination Movement that has been at the forefront of demonstrations calling for reform of the quota system for government jobs in Bangladesh.

The agitation gained momentum after the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, in June 2024, upheld the reinstated quota of 30% for the descendants of war veterans and freedom fighters. The protesters, led by Islam, came up with the argument that it was a system of discrimination and was politically manipulated to restrict fair access to government jobs.

Vocal Critic of the Government

Nahid Islam has been a vocal critic of the ruling party of Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League, calling them “terrorists” on the streets. At one powerful speech at Shahbagh, he declared that students had “picked up sticks” and were ready to “take up arms” if required—a marker of the strength of the movement.

Abductions and Torture

Nahid Islam’s journey has not been without peril. On July 19, 2024, he was abducted by at least 25 plainclothes men from a house in Sabujbagh. He was blindfolded, handcuffed, and tortured while being subjected to repeated interrogation regarding his role in the protests. He was found unconscious and battered under a bridge in Purbachal two days later.

This was not the first time. Again on July 26, 2024, Islam was kidnapped from Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in Dhanmondi. People identifying themselves as members of various intelligence agencies, including the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch, took him away. The police have, however, denied any involvement with the event.

A Defining Moment for Bangladesh

It is the relentless effort put in by Nahid Islam and fellow protesters that has finally amounted to what can rightfully be called a political sea change in Bangladesh. It is the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which epitomizes an evident power of mass action and, equally importantly, how determined leadership can surmount any odds. Nahid Islam, through his role in this historic movement, cements himself in the annals of the continuing struggle for justice and reform within Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina’s life And Career Prior To This Incident

Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina, a prominent figure in Bangladesh, possesses an extensive background intertwined with political prominence and lineage. Born on September 15, 1947, in Tungipara, Gopalganj District, Bangladesh, she belongs to the Bangladesh Awami League political party, inheriting a politically significant lineage from her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was Bangladesh’s first President and a key architect of the nation’s independence. Her mother, Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, also played a supportive role in the political sphere.

Her life significantly intertwines with the history of Bangladesh. She became a public figure early on, when the Bangladesh Liberation War led to her father’s assumption of power. However, tragedy dramatically shaped her life when, in 1975, a military coup assassinated her father, mother, and other family members. Miraculously, she and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, survived as they were in India at the time.

She spent around six years in exile in India and Germany following the assassination of her father, gaining invaluable political insights and developing personal resilience. In 1981, Sheikh Hasina resurfaced in Bangladesh, and in 1984, under military rule, established the 21 August Martyr’s Day to commemorate her father’s assassination.

Sheikh Hasina’s determination and political astuteness led her to contest the 1986 and 1988 elections against the military-backed candidate Hussain Muhammad Ershad, emerging victorious in the people’s choice yet prevented from power due to election riggings. This period underlined her tenacity and commitment to democratic principles.

With the fall of the Ershad government in 1990, Sheikh Hasina strengthened her political stance, becoming the leader of the opposition in the Parliament from 1991 to 1996 and subsequently the Prime Minister. Her first term, from 1996 to 2001, and later terms highlight her focus on improving conditions for Bangladeshi citizens, advocating for social and economic reforms. Despite challenges such as political unrest and flooding crises, she demonstrated leadership capabilities in navigating through these obstacles.

Sheikh Hasina was again elected Prime Minister in 2009, 2014, and then a historic third consecutive term in 2018, signaling the people’s continued faith in her governing ability. Her tenure is marked by significant advances in economic growth, poverty reduction, and infrastructure development making Bangladesh a global success story in development under her leadership. However, her leadership has also been accompanied by criticisms, particularly concerning the handling of opposition and media freedom.

Throughout her career, Sheikh Hasina has gained global recognition, including being honored with awards like the prestigious UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence.

Events at Sheikh Hasina’s House Before She Escaped from Bangladesh

Bangladesh Under Riot After Sheikh Hasina Fled (Source: AFP)

As per a news story in Prothom Alo, Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, was unwilling to leave her position. She asked the security forces to strengthen actions against the protests happening all over the country. However, the top security officials had a different view. They thought force could not control the protests. This talk happened in the Prime Minister’s official home. Just before a large group of protesters attacked the place, the Prime Minister fled the area. She used a military plane for her quick departure. The report from Prothom Alo has all the details of what took place before she left at the last moment.

She sought the help of the military to prevent the spreading of the protests. The situation was tense, as the demonstrations grew in number across the nation.

Despite this, the security chiefs argued that brute force was not the answer. This discussion occurred right in the official home of the Prime Minister, just as the situation escalated outside. With moments to spare before the angry mob attacked the place, she managed to leave.

A military aircraft whisked her away in haste, avoiding the oncoming danger. The article from the Bangladeshi daily describes these intense moments from when she had to make her swift exit. Sheikh Hasina did not wish to step down as the leader of Bangladesh. She called for a stronger military response to the rising protest movements across the country’s regions. Yet, her top security advisors did not support her call for tougher measures. Instead, they suggested other methods to deal with the nationwide dissent. This all took place in a meeting at her official residence.

Shortly after that meeting, protesters began to converge on her location. She narrowly escaped on a military plane before they could breach her residence.

The report from Prothom Alo newspaper contains all these dramatic events leading up to her abrupt departure. Sheikh Hasina wanted to stay in her position amidst calls for resignation. She asked for an increased military presence to handle the swelling protests around the country. But, defense leaders felt strongly against using force to quiet the public unrest.

This was in a meeting held at her official residence, just as things turned critical. In the nick of time, she left the area of tension. A military aircraft took her to safety, just before a mass of protesters broke into her residence.

The Bangladeshi newspaper article provides an in-depth account of the situation before her last-second escape. In summary, Sheikh Hasina did not want to step down as Bangladesh’s leader. She called for stricter military action against the expanding protests across the country. Though, her security advisors disagreed with leveraging force. This discussion went down at her official home, right when the protests were at her doorstep. She left the residence hurriedly in a military plane. It was just in time before an enraged mob broke into the place. The Prothom Alo article gives a close look at all these dramatic events as they unraveled before the Prime Minister’s sudden departure.

The Last 45 Minutes, That Didn’t Gave Her Chance To Record Her Last Speach To The Nation

Protests were growing bigger. Information reached that the Prime Minister’s house called Ganabhaban might be under attack. Sheikh Hasina had forty-five minutes to gather her things.

She hoped to make one last talk to the nation. But, time was not on her side. With her sister Rehana, they left their home. They stopped shortly at the President’s house, or what’s known as Bangabhaban. There, she completed the process to step down from her role.

By around 2:30 in the afternoon, she was in the air, on a military plane. This ended her long term as the leader for fifteen continuous years. This happening signifies a major change in Bangladesh’s politics.

Exactly fifty years back, her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman led the battle for the country’s freedom. Now, Ms. Hasina had to leave in a hurry as protestors damaged statues of her father. The remembrance of Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman, fondly called Bangabandhu, no longer seems to link to the war for freedom. Instead, it stands for her political path, which many say centered on smothering those who spoke out.

Mujibur Rahman, Bangabandhu, Statue of Bangladesh’s War of Liberation Was Toppled

The Trigger Point Which Led To This Revolt

The unrest in Bangladesh began last month. It started against a system. The issue? 30% of government jobs were kept for families of Muktijoddhas. These are the people who fought in Bangladesh’s independence war in 1971. The protesters didn’t like this. They felt it was unfair. They said it suited those close to the ruling party, the Awami League. They demanded a system based on merit.

The ruling party tried hard to stop these protests. But, things took a turn for worse. Sheikh Hasina made a comment. She questioned, “If not the freedom fighters’ grandchildren, who else should get benefits? The ‘Razakars’ grandchildren?” Razakars were a group by Pakistan army. They did massive wrongs in 1971. This comment upset many.

Job reservations in Bangladesh are a hot-button issue. In 2018, similar protests made the government change the system. Quotas for some positions were cancelled. However, a recent court decision changed things. The court said the 2018 move was illegal. It said 30% government jobs should go to freedom fighters’ kids. But then, the highest court ruled. 93% of jobs must go by merit. The rest for freedom fighters’ relatives. Yet, this high court’s order didn’t cool the protesters’ anger.

Looting at Sheikh Hasina’s Residence Amidst Regime’s Overthrow in Bangladesh

When a kingdom collapses, palaces can’t stay locked. The same happened in Dhaka. The prime minister’s house, Ganabhaban, saw open gates. This was after Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country. A sea of protesters marched straight to her house.

In Dhaka, protesters entered the leader’s house exactly when the leader left. Bangladesh is not the first. Before this, many places saw common people entering the leader’s home as the old rule fell.

A video now spreads on social media. It shows a man lying on a bed at the PM’s house. He is relaxed on the bed. He chats with others. He says, “Gonobhobon is now our domain.”

Yet another video emerged. This time, the sight was of people from different walks of life taking things from the prime minister’s house. Televisions, chairs, and tables — anything they could carry was carried off.

Moreover, even the house’s kitchens and refrigerators were raided. People cooked and consumed traditional Bangladeshi dishes like fish and biryani. A startling revelation came through visuals where individuals fled with raw fish, live goats, and ducks from the prime minister’s house.

One particular viral video was of a person with a large fish statue visible on the Ganabhaban campus. This large replica likely portrays the Hilsa, a most cherished fish and national symbol for the seafood-loving nation of Bangladesh.

The looters didn’t restrict themselves to just practical items. They also helped themselves to personal possessions. Sarees and a designer suitcase, known to be favorites of Sheikh Hasina, were seen in the hands of strangers. It was known that Hasina had an eye for good sarees and was known for her collection.

Among the more solemn scenes was one where a looter posed with women’s intimate clothing, which they claimed was from within the Ganabhaban. It spoke volumes about the loss of privacy and respect accompanying such chaos.