Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's longest-serving prime minister, began her political journey as a pro-democracy icon. After 15 years in power, she fled the country following massive protests calling for her resignation in August 2024. This turmoil led to her self-imposed exile in India, where she has been hiding since being deposed by a student-led uprising. Recently, a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced her to death for ordering violent crackdowns on protesters, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 individuals during her tumultuous regime. Critics accused Hasina of turning autocratic and employing tactics to silence dissent, including political arrests and extrajudicial killings. While her government was credited with significant economic growth—lifting millions out of poverty—allegations of violence and repression have marred her legacy. The world now watches to see the future of Bangladesh in a post-Hasina landscape.
From Icon to Autocrat: The Rise and Fall of Sheikh Hasina

From Icon to Autocrat: The Rise and Fall of Sheikh Hasina
Explore the dramatic shift of Bangladesh's longest-serving Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, from a pro-democracy leader to accused autocrat. A look into her political journey, major controversies, and recent downfall.
Sheikh Hasina, once hailed as a champion of democracy who led Bangladesh to significant economic growth, faced a dramatic downfall after violent protests against her rule in 2024. Now in exile, she has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity amid accusations of repressing dissent and using lethal force against protesters.




















