Fall of Sheikh Hasina and lessons from history

The dramatic fall and conviction of Sheikh Hasina show the unpredictable nature of power in Bangladesh. A huge people’s movement forced her out in August 2024. She had been the Prime Minister for 15 years.

Then, her own creation, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), sentenced her to death. This shocking event happened in a major historical twist.

The ICT verdict, given while she is in exile, holds a clear lesson. No ruler can escape the cycles of revenge and political change that mark Bangladesh’s past.

The Irony of the Tribunal
The Charges: The ICT convicted Hasina for crimes against humanity. This included ordering lethal force and incitement to kill protesters.

A Personal Twist: Hasina started the ICT in 2010 to try war criminals. Later, the interim government expanded the tribunal’s power. It used the ICT to prosecute her for actions during the 2024 protests.

The Price of Power: The security crackdown on the student-led “Monsoon Uprising” killed hundreds. This violence forced her resignation and flight to India.

The Lessons for Future Leaders
Political experts see Hasina’s fate as a common, dark pattern in Bangladesh’s history.

Vengeance Rules: Since the country’s founding, politics have been a zero-sum game. The ruling party always tries to destroy the opposition. Therefore, the cycle of revenge continues, no matter who is in power.

People’s Strength: History proves that state power cannot defeat a people’s movement. General Ershad (1990) and Sheikh Hasina (2024) both faced forced resignation.

A Warning: Experts warn that Hasina’s rivals might now use the same biased tactics she used. Hence, the country’s path to stability depends on breaking this cycle of political payback.

Hasina remains defiant from India. She calls the verdict “political revenge.” Yet, the judgment confirms a clear truth: The tool she used against her rivals ultimately brought her own downfall.