Sheikh Hasina’s Legacy: Will History View Her Leadership More Favorably Than Western Media?

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 10^th August. As Bangladesh navigates the complexities of its political landscape following the recent ouster of Sheikh Hasina, a growing discourse suggests that history will ultimately judge her tenure more favorably than the Western media has in recent years. Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has faced sustained criticism from international outlets, particularly during her last months in office. However, a more nuanced perspective, especially from those familiar with the region’s dynamics, indicates that her legacy may be viewed with greater sympathy in the future.

The Western media’s relationship with South Asian leaders has often been contentious. For instance, during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was subjected to intense scrutiny and criticism despite her significant role in halting Pakistan’s genocidal actions. While Gandhi is now recognized for her leadership during this period, at the time, much of the Western press was unrelenting in its criticism.

In Sheikh Hasina’s case, the pattern appears to have repeated. During her years in power, especially as her administration faced mounting challenges, international media outlets focused heavily on issues such as human rights abuses, restrictions on press freedom, and allegations of political repression. These criticisms, though not entirely unfounded, often overshadowed the broader context of her leadership and the progress Bangladesh made under her rule.

A Legacy of Resilience

Sheikh Hasina’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. In 1975, at just 27 years old, she lost almost her entire family in a brutal coup that claimed the lives of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—Bangladesh’s founding father, known affectionately as Bangabandhu—her mother, her 10-year-old brother, and other close relatives. Despite this unimaginable loss, Hasina returned to Bangladesh and, over the decades, rose to become a central figure in the nation’s political life.

Under her leadership, Bangladesh has seen significant economic growth, improvements in infrastructure, and advancements in women’s rights and social development. These achievements have earned her widespread support domestically, even as international criticism has persisted.

A Balanced Historical Perspective

As with many leaders, Sheikh Hasina’s tenure has not been without controversy. Her government’s handling of dissent, press freedom, and the judiciary has drawn significant criticism. However, those who are familiar with the region argue that these issues must be weighed against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s history and the immense challenges she faced in steering the country through periods of political instability and economic transformation.

Experts suggest that future historians will take a more balanced view of her legacy, recognizing both her achievements and her shortcomings. Just as Indira Gandhi’s legacy has been reassessed over time, with historians acknowledging the complexity of her leadership, it is expected that Sheikh Hasina’s contributions to Bangladesh will be viewed in a more sympathetic light.

She had narrowly escaped the tragedy herself, as she and her sister were visiting West Germany at the time. The trauma of losing nearly her entire family in such a brutal manner would be difficult for anyone to overcome. Yet, Sheikh Hasina displayed remarkable courage, not only in recovering from this devastating experience but also in actively engaging in her country’s struggles during some of its most perilous times. After a period in India, she returned to Bangladesh, where the forces responsible for her family’s murder still held significant power. The Awami League, her father’s political party, had been severely weakened by years of hostility and persecution from the ruling authorities.

Despite these daunting challenges, Sheikh Hasina managed to rebuild and strengthen the Awami League, eventually leading it to victory in the elections that marked her first tenure as Prime Minister. She later secured another election victory under similarly challenging conditions, bringing much-needed stability to Bangladesh for nearly 15 years. During her leadership, the country achieved significant development milestones, even surpassing Pakistan in certain key human development indicators.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic posed a severe setback to Bangladesh’s development efforts, exposing the vulnerabilities of an economy heavily dependent on garment exports. As the economy faltered, issues like unemployment became more pronounced, and opposition to job reservations for freedom fighters grew louder. Despite some sincere efforts by the Hasina government to address these grievances, the Western media largely overlooked them, instead focusing on her perceived hostility towards opposition parties.

While it is true that better relations between the government and opposition parties are essential, especially in the South Asian context, it is important to recognize the nature of the opposition Sheikh Hasina faced. For years, a significant portion of her opponents included fanatical and violent elements, some of whom had collaborated with Pakistan during its genocidal campaign and had targeted minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. Many of these opponents were also linked to or supportive of the forces behind the assassination of Sheikh Hasina’s family members. Given these circumstances, the strained relations between her government and such opposition forces are understandable.

Looking Ahead

As Bangladesh enters a new phase of its political journey, the conversation around Sheikh Hasina’s legacy is likely to continue evolving. While current critiques cannot be dismissed, there is a growing recognition that history may be kinder to her than the present narrative suggests.

Her story is not just one of a political leader but of a woman who, despite personal tragedies and immense challenges, remained deeply committed to her country’s future. It is this commitment that future historians are likely to emphasize, ensuring that Sheikh Hasina’s place in history is one of respect and recognition.

Conclusion

As the dust settles on Sheikh Hasina’s time in office, the debates over her legacy will undoubtedly continue. While current narratives, particularly from Western media, have been critical, a deeper understanding of her tenure reveals a leader who navigated immense personal and national challenges with resilience and determination. When history looks back on Sheikh Hasina’s contributions, it is likely to do so with greater nuance and sympathy, acknowledging both her flaws and the significant progress Bangladesh made under her leadership. This is not to suggest that there were no alternative approaches or that corruption was not an issue during her tenure. With better political management, some of the more moderate and sincere elements among the protesters might have been appeased with timely reforms. Nevertheless, when faced with a well-resourced and determined opposition bent on violence and disruption, any government’s task of finding satisfactory solutions becomes significantly more challenging. The situation was further complicated by foreign interference, a factor Sheikh Hasina herself highlighted in recent parliamentary sessions. In the end, Sheikh Hasina’s legacy will not be defined solely by her controversies but by her enduring commitment to the future of her nation.