Published: 12:19 AM, 17 May 2026
July 2024, Sheikh Hasina and Aftermath
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left for India on 5 August 2024 following the regime change caused by the July Uprising. - File Photo
A historical–analytical reflection on Sheikh Hasina’s political journey, Bangladesh’s post-1975 transformation, and the evolving tension between development, governance, and democratic practice in a rapidly changing state.
The political history of modern Bangladesh cannot be understood without examining the long and consequential role of Sheikh Hasina. Her leadership has been interpreted through contrasting lenses—as continuity of the Liberation War ideals of 1971 and as a transformative force in reshaping the institutional architecture of the modern Bangladeshi state.
Her political journey is inseparable from the broader national trajectory: a country born through liberation, destabilized by assassination and military rule, and later reconstructed through competing ideological and political visions.
The assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 created a foundational rupture in the state’s identity. In its aftermath, Bangladesh entered a prolonged phase of military governance and contested national narratives.
Within this historical space, Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana survived abroad due to circumstance—a turning point that later shaped her political trajectory.
Post-1975 State Reconstruction and Political Continuity
The post-1975 era witnessed restructuring of governance systems, constitutional interpretation, and ideological contestation over the meaning of independence.
The Bangladesh Awami League gradually re-established itself as a central political force advocating continuity with the 1971 Liberation War legacy, forming the institutional base of Sheikh Hasina’s leadership.
A defining feature of her governance has been infrastructure-led transformation at a national scale.
Projects such as the Padma Bridge reflect domestic engineering capability and national integration. Urban transformation accelerated through the Dhaka Metro Rail, reshaping mobility patterns and urban structure.
The expansion of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport strengthened international connectivity and aviation capacity.
Energy strategy was anchored by the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, developed with Russian cooperation, reflecting long-term energy security planning.
Together, these projects represent an attempt to build a developmental state grounded in infrastructure, connectivity, and industrial planning.
A key dimension of Bangladesh’s development strategy is its long-term planning architecture.
Vision 2041 aims to transform Bangladesh into a developed economy through industrialization, digital transformation, and human capital development.
The Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 introduces a century-scale framework focused on climate resilience, water management, flood control, and sustainable land use in a geographically vulnerable delta region.
Together, these frameworks reflect a governance approach that prioritises long-term continuity over short-term political cycles, embedding planning discipline into national development strategy.
Female participation in education and the workforce has expanded significantly, particularly in garments and services, contributing to structural economic change.
Social safety-net programmes have widened coverage for elderly citizens, widows, and vulnerable populations. Rural electrification, housing initiatives, and infrastructure expansion have strengthened inclusion across regions.
Foreign Policy and Strategic Balancing
Bangladesh has pursued a pragmatic multi-vector foreign policy balancing India, China, Russia, the United States, and Middle Eastern partners, while maintaining strategic autonomy and development priorities.
Governance, Democracy, and Institutional Debate
Her long tenure has generated debate regarding governance structure and democratic practice.
Supporters argue that political continuity enabled development stability and long-term planning. Critics highlight concerns regarding institutional balance and electoral competitiveness.
This reflects a broader global tension between developmental-state efficiency and democratic pluralism.
Crisis Governance and State Resilience
Two defining tests of state capacity during Sheikh Hasina’s leadership were the Holey Artisan Bakery attack in 2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Holey Artisan incident in Dhaka represented one of the most significant security crises in Bangladesh’s recent history. It prompted a rapid counter-terror response and reinforced the country’s broader security and intelligence coordination framework in addressing extremist threats.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh’s response focused on public health management, vaccine procurement, and maintaining economic continuity under global disruption. The measures included large-scale health system mobilization and efforts to stabilize supply chains and livelihoods during the crisis period.
These episodes collectively reflect the state’s evolving capacity to respond to high-pressure national emergencies across both security and public health domains.
The 2024 Political Transition
The events of July 2024 marked a significant turning point in Bangladesh’s political trajectory, reflecting accumulated economic and political tensions and leading to a period of transition and uncertainty.
Historical Interpretation and Legacy
Her legacy is embedded in infrastructure development, energy planning, welfare expansion, and long-term institutional frameworks shaping Bangladesh’s development path.
Conclusion
Bangladesh remains a nation in transition, shaped by historical memory, political evolution, and development ambition.
Within this evolving narrative, Sheikh Hasina occupies a central position in shaping modern Bangladesh’s developmental trajectory.
Her legacy continues to be interpreted through development performance, governance structure, and long-term national transformation.
K N Ahad is an architect based
in Ukraine. Views expressed in the article are the writer’s
personal opinions.
