A strong, determined portrait of Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, in a formal sari, looking directly at the viewer with a resolute expression. Soft, dignified lighting.
Sheikh Hasina
Early Life and Political Beginnings
Sheikh Hasina Wazed was born on September 28, 1947, in Tungipara, East Bengal (now Bangladesh). She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. Her political journey began in the shadow of immense personal tragedy - she lost most of her family members, including her father, mother, and three brothers, in the military coup of August 15, 1975.
Hasina was abroad with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana during the coup, which spared their lives but left them in exile for six years. She returned to Bangladesh in 1981 and took leadership of the Awami League, her father's political party, beginning her formal political career.
Political Career and Leadership
Rise to Power
Sheikh Hasina first became Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 1996, serving until 2001. She returned to power in 2009 and served consecutive terms, making her the longest-serving prime minister in Bangladesh's history. Her political career spanned multiple decades, during which she became a dominant figure in Bangladeshi politics.
Economic Development and Governance
During her tenure, Bangladesh experienced significant economic growth and development. Under her leadership, the country achieved middle-income status and made progress in various social indicators including poverty reduction, women's empowerment, and education. Her government implemented numerous infrastructure projects and pursued digitalization initiatives.
Controversies and Challenges
Hasina's leadership was not without controversy. Her government faced criticism for human rights concerns, press freedom restrictions, and political repression. The 2018 general election, which her party won overwhelmingly, was marred by allegations of vote rigging and opposition suppression.
Recent Developments and Legal Proceedings
2024 Political Crisis
In mid-2024, Bangladesh experienced widespread student-led protests that escalated into mass uprisings. The government's response to these protests became the subject of international scrutiny and domestic controversy. According to reports, the crackdown resulted in significant casualties, with estimates of up to 1,400 deaths.
Ouster and Exile
In August 2024, Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power amid the mass uprisings and fled to India, where she has remained in exile. Her departure marked the end of her long political dominance in Bangladesh.
Legal Proceedings
On November 17, 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia for crimes against humanity. The charges specifically related to her alleged role in the violent crackdown on student-led protests in mid-2024. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan received the same sentence, while former police chief Abdullah Al-Mamun was sentenced to five years in prison after cooperating with authorities.
Political Response
Hasina has denied all charges, claiming that the actions taken during the protests were necessary to control chaos and minimize casualties. She has condemned the legal proceedings as politically motivated, asserting they are driven by her political opponents in the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
The verdict has intensified political tensions in Bangladesh, with Hasina's supporters protesting the ruling and calling it politically motivated. Security measures have been heightened nationwide to prevent further unrest.
Current Status and Political Legacy
As of late 2025, Sheikh Hasina remains in exile in India, facing the death sentence imposed by the Bangladeshi tribunal. The interim government plans to hold new elections in February 2026, excluding Hasina's Awami League party from participation.
Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, has urged the interim government to lift the prohibition on the Awami League, warning that excluding the party from upcoming elections would render the process illegitimate and deepen political instability.
Sheikh Hasina's legacy remains deeply contested - celebrated by supporters for her contributions to Bangladesh's development and criticized by opponents for authoritarian tendencies and human rights concerns. Her political fate and the future of her political movement continue to be central to Bangladesh's ongoing political transition.
The prompt for this was: sheikh hasina
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