Bangladesh's Controversial PM Sheikh Hasina Resigns Amid Protests, All About Her Education, Political Career

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Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed has stepped down and left the country amid escalating student-led protests. These demonstrations, which turned violent, culminated in thousands of protesters storming her official residence in Dhaka. Hasina, who has been in power for over two decades, fled to India.

Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has held the position multiple times. Her first term began in 1996 when her party, the Bangladesh Awami League, won the general election. Although her party lost in 2001, she became the leader of the opposition. In 2008, her party secured a landslide victory, and she assumed office again. She continued to serve as Prime Minister after winning elections in 2014 and 2019.

Here's everything you need to know about her early life, education, political career, recognitions and achievements.

Early life, Education

Hasina was born on 28 September 1947, in Tungipara, East Pakistan (now in Bangladesh). She is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the principal orchestrator of Bangladesh's separation from Pakistan in 1971.

Sheikh Hasina received her early education at local schools in Gopalganj and later attended the prestigious Eden Girls' College in Dhaka. She married M.A. Wazed Miah, an eminent Bengali scientist in 1968.

Her education was interrupted by the tumultuous events of the 1971 Liberation War, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina and her family faced significant hardships during this period, including the imprisonment of her father by the Pakistani military regime.

She went on to study at the University of Dhaka, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. During her university years, she became actively involved in student politics, following in her father's footsteps and laying the groundwork for her future political career.

She also served as her father's political liaison during his imprisonment by the Pakistani government. Hasina and other members of her family also were detained briefly in 1971 for their participation in an uprising during the war of liberation that ultimately led to Bangladesh's independence.

In her personal life, Sheikh Hasina experienced significant loss with the passing of her husband in 2009. She has two children: Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, an ICT expert; and Saima Hossain Wazed, a psychologist working towards improving conditions for autistic children. She also has seven grandchildren.

Political Career, Achievements And Recognitions

Sheikh Hasina's political career began in earnest after the assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975.

In a brutal military coup, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with most of his family, was killed. Sheikh Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, survived as they were abroad at the time. Following the assassination, Sheikh Hasina lived in exile in India for six years.

In 1981, she was elected as the President of the Awami League, one of Bangladesh's major political parties, while still in exile. Her return to Bangladesh in 1981 marked the beginning of a new chapter in her political journey.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including political persecution, imprisonment, and assassination attempts, Sheikh Hasina remained steadfast in her commitment to her party and her country.

During her tenure as Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina's government enacted laws to establish the International Crimes Tribunal.

This tribunal prosecuted suspected war criminals from the 1971 liberation war. Additionally, she focused on socio-economic development by increasing power production capacity and reducing poverty rates. Under her leadership, Bangladesh achieved lower middle-income status and raised its per capita income.

Sheikh Hasina's efforts have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous honors and awards for her contributions to peace building, democracy, and socio-economic development.

List Of Awards And Recognitions

1. UNESCO Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize (1998) - Awarded for her contribution to establishing peace by signing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997.

2. Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development (2009) - Recognized for her contributions to peace, development, and social and economic growth.

3. UN Environment Award 'Champion of the Earth' (2015) - Honored for her leadership in climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability initiatives.

4. South-South Award (2013) - Given for her achievements in promoting the welfare of women and children and for her contributions to improving education and information technology.

5. ICT Sustainable Development Award (2015) - Awarded by the International Telecommunication Union for her role in promoting information and communication technology for sustainable development.

6. Vaccine Hero Award (2019) - Recognized by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, for her role in immunization and vaccination programs in Bangladesh.

7. Mother Teresa Award (1999) - Given for her social and humanitarian work, especially for her efforts in uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the people.

8. Global Women's Leadership Award (2018) - Presented by the Global Summit of Women for her outstanding leadership and work in promoting women's empowerment and gender equality.

9. Planet 50-50 Champion Award (2016) - Awarded by UN Women for her commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment.

10. Dr. Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award (2018) - Recognized for her contributions to governance and social development, awarded in memory of former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

11. UNESCO Peace Tree Award (2010) - Given for her efforts in fostering peace, particularly in the context of her commitment to education and literacy.

12. Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize (2019) - Awarded by the Government of India for her contributions to social, economic, and political transformation through non-violent and Gandhian methods.

13. Tagore Peace Award (2013) - Presented by the Asiatic Society of Kolkata for her efforts in promoting peace and cultural harmony.

14. Pioneer Award from the International Diabetes Federation (2013) - Recognized for her leadership in diabetes awareness and healthcare initiatives.

15. Agro Forestry Vision Award (2011) - Awarded for her commitment to environmental conservation and agroforestry initiatives.

16. Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (2013) - Presented by the government of Peru for her contributions to bilateral relations and cooperation between Bangladesh and Peru.

17. Global Diversity Award (2011) - Awarded by the UK House of Commons for her efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in Bangladesh.

Besides these accolades, Sheikh Hasina is an accomplished author with several books to her name including "Sheikh Mujib is my Father," "Why are they Street Children," and "The Quest for Vision 2021." She chairs The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust which promotes democracy, secularism, inclusive growth, and progress.

Political Legacy And Controversy

Under Hasina's leadership, Bangladesh saw significant economic progress. The country's per capita income tripled in the last ten years, lifting over 25 million people out of poverty. The garment industry played a crucial role in this growth, making Bangladesh one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.

Despite these achievements, critics argue that economic benefits have primarily favoured those close to Hasina's party due to corruption. They also claim her rule has undermined democracy and human rights, with allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by security forces.

Hasina is the daughter of Bangladesh's first president and gained popularity as a student leader at Dhaka University. She became the leader of the Awami League political party and first came to power in 1996. While credited with overseeing economic progress, she has faced accusations of turning autocratic and engaging in corrupt business deals.

Her government has also been accused of repressive measures against political opponents and the media. Despite these allegations, Hasina's administration denies any wrongdoing but has restricted access for foreign journalists investigating such claims.

The recent protests underscore growing dissatisfaction with Hasina's rule as Bangladesh grapples with rising living costs, inflation, and foreign debt. Critics argue that while the economy has grown, it has not benefited everyone equally due to corruption within her administration.

As Bangladesh faces these challenges, the future remains uncertain without Hasina at the helm. The nation must navigate its way through economic pressures and political unrest to find stability once more.