Once a celebrated leader, Sheikh Hasina, the long-time Prime Minister of Bangladesh, now finds herself at the centre of a storm. In the heat of August 2024, she quietly left her homeland and sought refuge in India, escaping a nation engulfed in widespread protests. These weren’t just any protests; they signalled the end of her 15-year rule. Now, Bangladesh’s interim government has officially asked India to send her back to face charges of corruption and human rights abuses. While India, her long-time ally, has acknowledged the request, it remains hesitant to act.
To understand Sheikh Hasina’s story, we must step back in time. She is no ordinary leader; she is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the man who led Bangladesh to independence in 1971 and became its first leader. But Mujibur Rahman’s time in power ended in tragedy. In 1975, a military coup claimed his life and the lives of most of his family. Only Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, survived – they were abroad when the massacre occurred.
Years later, in 1981, Hasina returned from exile to lead her father’s political party, the Awami League. Her journey to power began in earnest, and in 1996, she became Prime Minister for the first time. Though she lost power in 2001, she made a return in 2009, holding onto the role until her resignation in 2024. Her time in office brought significant achievements. Bangladesh saw economic growth and impressive infrastructure projects. Yet, these accomplishments came with shadows. Critics claimed her leadership was marked by authoritarian tactics – silencing dissent, stifling the media, and using the judiciary to maintain her grip on power.
The protests that ended her reign began as a small, student-led movement. Initially, they were focused on job quotas but quickly snowballed into a national demand for political reform. As the pressure grew unbearable, Hasina left the country, finding refuge in India. Now, a new interim government in Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, accuses her of grave human rights violations, including the brutal suppression of dissent. They want her back to face justice.
For India, the situation is delicate. India has long been a close ally of Hasina’s government. But now, it must navigate between its loyalty to her and its relationship with Bangladesh’s new administration. The world watches closely, waiting to see how India handles this precarious situation.
This saga is not just about Bangladesh and India – it’s part of a broader global story. Across the world, leaders and nations are increasingly being scrutinised for their actions and held accountable. From Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi, who faced charges after a military coup, to US President Donald Trump, accused of numerous legal violations, Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians since 1948, the pattern is clear: power comes with accountability. These events remind us that no leader or nation can escape the demand for responsibility in the face of injustice.
Sheikh Hasina’s story mirrors that of her father in many ways. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, once hailed as the saviour of a newly independent Bangladesh, faced criticism for his authoritarian ways before his tragic end. Similarly, Hasina’s tenure, though marked by progress, was clouded by accusations of corruption and repression.
Bangladesh’s call for Hasina’s extraction raises questions about justice and accountability, highlighting the need for a system that truly serves the people. From an Islamic perspective, leaders are not above the law and can be held accountable through mechanisms like the Courts of Unjust Acts, which addresses grievances against rulers. The Majlis al Ummah, composed of Muslims and non-Muslims, men and women, provides a platform for voicing opinions without fear, whilst political parties and individuals are also empowered to hold leaders to account. Across the globe, it is becoming evident that democracy has failed to deliver justice and stability, sparking a call for an alternative system rooted in principles that prioritise fairness, accountability and the interests of the people.
Written by Waheed Abu Araiz
CrossBorders.Press 
Leave a comment