{"id":4083,"date":"2025-10-16T11:46:03","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T05:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/?p=4083"},"modified":"2025-10-16T22:07:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T16:07:42","slug":"sheikh-hasinas-legacy-a-transformative-leader-who-steered-bangladesh-through-chaos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/?p=4083","title":{"rendered":"Sheikh Hasina\u2019s Legacy: A visionary leader who steered Bangladesh through chaos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As Bangladesh navigates a turbulent political transition under an interim government, the legacy of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stands as a testament to her extraordinary leadership. Over her 15-year tenure, Hasina transformed a nation scarred by unrest, poverty, and extremism into a rising star of the Global South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her bold balancing act with global superpowers, unprecedented infrastructural achievements, and unwavering commitment to human development\u2014particularly women\u2019s empowerment and refugee support\u2014earned her international acclaim, even as Western media now scrutinises her legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an op-ed for The Australia Today<\/a>, Dr. Aunjuman A. Islam and S.M. Faiyaz Hossain argue that Hasina\u2019s leadership, far from authoritarian, was a masterclass in navigating chaos with vision and resolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Leader Forged in Crisis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Hasina\u2019s ascent to power was no accident of privilege. Born into the crucible of Bangladesh\u2019s 1971 Liberation War, she survived the assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and much of her family in a 1975 military coup. Returning from exile in 1981, she faced a nation fractured by political violence, military rule, and economic stagnation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rise of Extremism: US Embassy faces threat as Yunus frees convicted militants<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICT-BD: OHCHR Dhaka rep Huma Khan\u2019s dubious role raises eyebrows<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smuggled and looted arms, impunity for jihadists deepen security crisis<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As detailed by Islam and Hossain, Hasina\u2019s leadership was not about consolidating power but about rebuilding a nation from its ashes. \u201cShe didn\u2019t just endure\u2014she transformed,\u201d they write, noting her ability to turn Bangladesh\u2019s challenges into opportunities for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under Hasina\u2019s stewardship, Bangladesh\u2019s per capita income tripled, soaring from $543 in 2006 to over $2,800 by 2023, lifting millions out of poverty. The poverty rate, once over 40%, plummeted to around 14% by 2022, according to World Bank data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her government\u2019s focus on human development was equally transformative: life expectancy rose to 72 years, literacy rates climbed to 76%, and access to electricity reached 97% of households by 2024. These weren\u2019t abstract statistics but tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Bangladeshis, driven by Hasina\u2019s relentless focus on inclusive growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infrastructural Marvels: Defying the Odds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hasina\u2019s vision for Bangladesh\u2019s infrastructure redefined national pride. The Padma Bridge, a 6.15-kilometre marvel completed in 2022, stands as a symbol of her defiance against scepticism. When the World Bank withdrew funding amid unproven allegations of corruption, Hasina rallied domestic resources, declaring: \u201cWe\u2019ll build it ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Sheikh Hasina inagurating Padma Bridge<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The $3.6 billion project, funded entirely by Bangladesh, not only connected 21 southern districts to Dhaka but also boosted GDP growth by an estimated 1.2% annually. Other megaprojects, like the Dhaka Metro Rail and the Karnaphuli Tunnel, further showcased her commitment to modernising Bangladesh\u2019s connectivity and urban landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yunus Regime\u2019s Sham Justice: Faruk Hossain\u2019s manhole grave mocks the republic<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yunus to hand over Chittagong Port to US-linked DP World in December<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teachers announce work abstention protesting police brutality<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These achievements were not mere engineering feats but statements of sovereignty. Hasina\u2019s ability to mobilise resources and rally public support for such projects demonstrated a rare blend of pragmatism and ambition. \u201cThe Padma Bridge wasn\u2019t built in boardrooms\u2014it was built in defiance,\u201d Islam and Hossain write, capturing her resolve to prove Bangladesh\u2019s self-reliance on the global stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geopolitical Acumen: Balancing Superpowers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an era of global polarisation, Hasina\u2019s foreign policy was a masterclass in strategic statesmanship. Positioned between regional giants India and China, and courted by the United States and Russia, she navigated geopolitical rivalries with a doctrine of \u201cFriendship to all, malice toward none.\u201d This principle, rooted in Bangladesh\u2019s 1971 liberation ethos, guided her in fostering ties that prioritised national sovereignty and economic opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Custodial Death: 31 Awami League leaders, activists killed in\u00a014\u00a0months<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arafat hits at Yunus apologists for attempts to exclude Awami League from elections<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hasina strengthened relations with India through trade and security cooperation, resolving long-standing border disputes like the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement. Simultaneously, she secured Chinese investment for infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative, including $10 billion for projects like the Payra Power Plant, without ceding strategic autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Aerial view of Dhaka Elevated Expressway at night in Dhaka, Bangladesh.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Her engagement with the US and Russia ensured Bangladesh remained a non-aligned player, a rarity in a region often forced into binary alliances. Her invitation to the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023 marked Bangladesh\u2019s emergence as a voice for the Global South, advocating for climate justice and economic equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her response to the Rohingya crisis further cemented her global stature. When over 700,000 refugees fled Myanmar in 2017, Hasina opened Bangladesh\u2019s borders, providing shelter and aid despite resource constraints. \u201cShe responded not as a politician, but as a human being,\u201d Islam and Hossain note, highlighting her compassion that earned her the UN\u2019s Champions of the Earth Award and global praise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Championing Women and Social Progress<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hasina\u2019s commitment to human development was most evident in her advocacy for women\u2019s empowerment. Her government introduced policies that increased female workforce participation from 26% in 2006 to 36% by 2023, per International Labour Organisation data.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Community Clinic: A Sheikh Hasina initiative<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Programs like the Vulnerable Group Development initiative provided stipends and training to millions of women, while free education for girls up to grade 12 boosted female literacy to 74%. These efforts earned her the UNESCO Peace Prize and the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, recognising her as a global leader in gender equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Hasina recently said some 140 social safety net programmes were suspended after Yunus captured power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

USS Fitzgerald in Bangladesh: Goodwill or geopolitical gambit?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bangladesh GDP 1.81% in first quarter of FY26\u2014lowest in four years<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her fight against extremism was equally bold. During the global rise of ISIS, Hasina\u2019s government cracked down on militant groups like Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, ensuring the country remained a bulwark against terrorism. The 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack, which killed 29, tested her resolve, but her swift response\u2014deploying security forces and strengthening anti-terror laws\u2014prevented further escalation. By keeping the military out of civilian governance, she safeguarded Bangladesh\u2019s democratic institutions, a feat few post-colonial states have achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confronting Western Narratives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these achievements, Hasina\u2019s legacy faces scrutiny, particularly from Western media. The 2024 student protests over a job quota system, which spiralled into violence, became a flashpoint for criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hasina\u2019s support for the protesters\u2019 right to demonstrate and her establishment of a judicial inquiry into the unrest were overshadowed by unverified allegations, including a false claim that she labelled students \u201crajakaar\u201d (collaborators). Islam and Hossain argue that Western outlets like CNN and Al Jazeera amplified unverified \u201cleaked audio\u201d without forensic validation, distorting the narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ongoing trial against Hasina, now in exile, raises further concerns. Reports of procedural flaws, such as appointing a single defense attorney for her and the co-accused, and the pressured retirement of Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan, suggest a politicised process.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
The ICT-BD holding trial of Awami League politicians is illegal<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cThe state has appointed the same defense attorney to represent both Hasina and her co-accused\u2014a blatant conflict of interest,\u201d Islam and Hossain write, echoing journalist David Bergman\u2019s critique. Yet, the Western media\u2019s focus on her alleged authoritarianism ignores reports of torture and deaths under the interim government, revealing a selective outrage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Legacy of Resilience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hasina\u2019s critics call her autocratic, but her supporters\u2014especially in the Bangladeshi diaspora\u2014see a leader who carried a nation through chaos. Her ability to balance superpower interests, drive infrastructural leaps, and champion human development sets her apart. \u201cSheikh Hasina didn\u2019t just lead Bangladesh\u2014she carried it,\u201d Islam and Hossain assert. Her policies reduced food insecurity, with Bangladesh achieving near-self-sufficiency in rice production, and her climate diplomacy secured global funding for adaptation, transforming a vulnerable nation into a leader in resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The banning of her Awami League and the trial against her raise questions about due process. Support for Hasina remains strong among Bangladeshis abroad, who view her as a symbol of progress.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Sheikh Hasina vows to punish power usurpers<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cShe is not Gaddafi or Saddam Hussein,\u201d the op-ed argues, rejecting reductive comparisons. Her leadership, rooted in Bangladesh\u2019s complex realities, demands nuanced evaluation, not Western caricature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Bangladesh faces an uncertain future under an interim government accused of enabling extremism, Hasina\u2019s contributions\u2014economic growth, women\u2019s empowerment, and global diplomacy\u2014stand as pillars of progress. Her legacy challenges the world to reconsider what leadership means in a post-colonial context: not perfection, but resilience, results, and an unwavering commitment to a nation\u2019s dreams.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As Bangladesh navigates a turbulent political transition under an interim government, the legacy of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stands as a testament to her extraordinary leadership. Over her 15-year… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4088,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[646,123,20,42],"tags":[77,46,50,54,65,56,85,63,64],"class_list":["post-4083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-ict-bd","category-news","category-politics","tag-awami-league","tag-bnp","tag-interim-government","tag-jamaat-e-islami","tag-mobocracy","tag-muhammad-yunus","tag-national-citizen-party-ncp","tag-sheikh-hasina","tag-yunus-gang"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4083"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4090,"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4083\/revisions\/4090"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}