Rhetoric to Ruin: The Unraveling of Hasina's Legacy
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In politics, words hold immense power—they can inspire a nation or lead to the undoing of its leaders. Bangladesh’s recent political history stands as a clear example of how inflammatory rhetoric, coupled with authoritarian actions, can destroy even the most deeply entrenched political figures.
Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh, once praised for her role in the country's development, saw her legacy crumble under the weight of her words and oppressive governance. Her resignation in 2024, amid mass protests, serves as a stark reminder of how unchecked language and repression can trigger a people's revolt and erode political legitimacy.
Seeds of Discontent: The Quota System and Youth Unrest
Sheikh Hasina’s downfall was not sudden; it was the culmination of years of rising discontent, especially among the youth of Bangladesh. The flashpoint for this unrest was her government's decision to maintain a controversial quota system for public sector jobs, which allocated 30% of government posts to descendants of the 1971 Liberation War's “freedom fighters.” This policy, viewed by many as a tool for rewarding the Awami League’s loyalists, created resentment among the younger population who struggled with unemployment. With the public sector offering some of the most stable and well-paying jobs, many young Bangladeshis felt they were unfairly shut out of opportunities, deepening frustration (Honisoit, 2024)(Telegraph India, 2024).
Student protests erupted in response to this policy, but Hasina’s reaction only intensified the situation. Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns of the protesters, she referred to them as “razakars”—a highly derogatory term used for those who had betrayed Bangladesh during its war of independence. This inflammatory remark further alienated the protesters and added fuel to the growing movement. What had begun as a call for job reforms soon turned into a larger uprising against Hasina's leadership (Asia Society, 2024).
Words with Consequences: How Rhetoric Backfired
Hasina’s inflammatory language quickly backfired. Her harsh words and dismissive tone transformed a peaceful protest into a full-blown national revolt. By branding the protesters as enemies of the state, she further alienated the youth, who were already grappling with economic hardship and high unemployment. Instead of uniting the country, her rhetoric divided it further, turning what could have been a manageable political issue into a widespread demand for her resignation (Honisoit, 2024)(Asia Society, 2024).
As protests spread across the country, Hasina’s government responded with force, deploying security forces to suppress dissent. The violent crackdowns resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries, further solidifying her image as a repressive leader. The more she used inflammatory language and brutal tactics, the more the public grew disillusioned with her leadership (Honisoit, 2024)(Telegraph India, 2024).
Targeting Rivals: The Battle with Khaleda Zia and the Vendetta Against Dr. Yunus
Hasina’s use of harsh words was not limited to the student protesters. Throughout her tenure, she regularly targeted her political rivals, most notably Begum Khaleda Zia, leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The rivalry between Hasina and Zia, often referred to as the "Battle of the Begums," has dominated Bangladeshi politics for decades. Hasina frequently directed shameful and degrading remarks at Zia, accusing her of corruption and incompetence. In 2018, Zia was jailed under corruption charges, which many saw as politically motivated to silence the opposition(mint, 2024).
Hasina also turned her ire toward Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank. Yunus, a global icon for his work in microfinance, became the target of Hasina’s personal vendetta when he voiced opposition to her policies. Hasina accused Yunus of corruption and launched investigations into his organization, damaging his reputation both at home and abroad. These attacks on respected figures like Zia and Yunus further isolated Hasina from the public, as many viewed her actions as authoritarian and driven by personal vendettas (Jacobin, 2024).
Authoritarianism and Repression: The Road to Revolt
Hasina’s inflammatory language was accompanied by increasingly authoritarian actions. Her government-imposed internet blackouts, enforced curfews, and deployed military forces to suppress peaceful protests. The repression reached a tipping point when mass killings occurred during student-led protests, with unofficial reports estimating the death toll in the thousands. Hasina’s regime was also known for enforced disappearances, with opposition figures being abducted and silenced by state forces. These actions further alienated the population, and Hasina’s image as a "gigantic monarch" ruling with an iron fist became cemented(Telegraph India, 2024)(Jacobin, 2024).
Hasina’s disregard for democratic norms, her attacks on political opponents, and her repressive tactics created a toxic political environment. By belittling respected figures like Zia and Yunus, and using shameful language to vilify dissent, she contributed to the mass uprising that ultimately led to her downfall. As public protests grew in size and intensity, Hasina’s hold on power weakened. The military, once a key supporter, refused to enforce her repressive measures, leading to her resignation and flight from the country (Honisoit, 2024)(Asia Society, 2024).
The Fall of Sheikh Hasina: A Cautionary Tale
Sheikh Hasina’s resignation in August 2024 was both swift and dramatic. A long march of protesters, demanding her removal from office, culminated in the storming of her official residence. Faced with an unrelenting protest movement and a loss of support from the military, Hasina fled the country, marking the end of her political reign (Telegraph India, 2024)(Asia Society, 2024).
Hasina’s fall from power is a powerful lesson in the dangers of inflammatory rhetoric and authoritarian rule. Her harsh words, combined with her oppressive actions, alienated large sections of the population and created the conditions for a people's revolt. What began as a protest against job quotas evolved into a national movement to overthrow a leader whose words and deeds had divided the nation.
Lessons in Leadership: The Power of Words
Sheikh Hasina’s story is a cautionary tale for leaders everywhere. Words matter. Inflammatory rhetoric may seem like an effective short-term tool to rally supporters or silence critics, but its long-term consequences can be disastrous. Hasina’s downfall was not just the result of policy failures; it was the product of a leader who underestimated the power of her words to divide, alienate, and ultimately dismantle her political base.
The bitter consequences of Hasina’s rhetoric will be felt in Bangladesh for years to come. Her downfall serves as a reminder that political power is fragile, and leaders who use words to inflame rather than unite may find themselves at the mercy of the very people they sought to control. As Bangladesh moves forward, future leaders must remember that words and actions matter and that inflammatory rhetoric can tear nations apart.
References:
Honi Soit - "Sheikh Hasina’s regime: Bangladeshi student protests in context"
URL: https://honisoit.com/2024/09/sheikh-hasinas-regime-bangladeshi-student-protests-in-context/
Telegraph India - "Timeline of tumult: How Bangladesh's student protests brought down Sheikh Hasina"
Asia Society - "Political Turmoil in Bangladesh: Hasina’s Fall, the Rise of an Interim Government, and Regional Dynamics"
LiveMint - "Khaleda Zia vs Sheikh Hasina: How the ‘Battle of Begums’ shaped Bangladesh politics"
Jacobin - "The Bangladesh Protest Movement Won Out Against Repression"
URL: https://jacobin.com/2024/08/bangladesh-protest-movement-hasina-yunus
Author:
A S M Shamem
Doctoral Researcher
Faculty of Languages and Linguistics
University of Malaya, Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia