Bangladesh Hasina

A Look at the Controversial Prime Minister of Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina's Rise to Power

Sheikh Hasina Wazed was born on September 28, 1947, in Tungipara, Gopalganj District, East Bengal, British India (present-day Bangladesh). She is the eldest daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, and Fazilatunnesa Mujib. Hasina was educated at Eden Girls' College in Dhaka and the University of Dhaka, where she studied political science.

Hasina entered politics in 1971, when she joined the Awami League, a left-leaning political party founded by her father. After Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, Hasina served in various ministerial positions under her father, who was then the country's first president.

Sheikh Hasina's Tenure as Prime Minister

In 1981, Hasina was elected president of the Awami League. She won her first term as prime minister in 1996, and has since served three more terms, from 2009 to 2014 and from 2014 to the present. Hasina's tenure as prime minister has been marked by both progress and controversy.

Sheikh Hasina's Accomplishments

Hasina's accomplishments as prime minister include:

Presiding over a period of economic growth and poverty reduction.

Improving Bangladesh's infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power plants.

Expanding access to education and healthcare.

Empowering women and minorities.

Sheikh Hasina's Controversies

Hasina's tenure as prime minister has also been marked by controversy. Criticisms of her leadership include:

Authoritarianism and suppression of dissent.

Corruption and cronyism.

Human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

Erosion of democracy and the rule of law.

Conclusion

Sheikh Hasina Wazed is a complex and controversial figure. She is a charismatic leader who has presided over a period of economic growth and social progress in Bangladesh. However, she has also been accused of authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights abuses. As Bangladesh continues to develop, it remains to be seen how Hasina's legacy will be judged.