The recent dramatic escape of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh highlights the nation’s long history of political turmoil. Since gaining independence in 1971, Bangladesh has experienced numerous instances of leaders being ousted, assassinated, or otherwise forced from power due to violent upheavals and coups. This report revisits key episodes in Bangladesh’s turbulent political history to provide context for the current crisis.
Bangladesh’s political history is marked by a series of dramatic upheavals and power struggles. In 1975, the country’s first Prime Minister, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who had established a one-party system, was assassinated on August 15, along with his family. His assassination paved the way for Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, who briefly assumed power with military support. However, Ahmad’s tenure was short-lived as Army Chief Khaled Mosharraf overthrew him on November 3. Mosharraf’s rule was similarly cut short when he was killed by mutineers, leading to General Ziaur Rahman seizing control on November 7. The period from 1981 to 1983 saw further turmoil. General Ziaur Rahman’s rule ended violently on May 30, 1981, when he was assassinated during a coup attempt. Abdus Sattar, his vice-president, took over as interim president with the support of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Within a year, Ershad ousted Sattar in a bloodless coup on March 24, 1982, imposing martial law and later declaring himself head of state on December 11, 1983. Ershad’s regime was marked by his control over a nominal president, Ahsanuddin Chowdhury, and a political party loyal to his rule. The era from 1990 to 2007 witnessed significant democratic shifts and military interventions. Amidst mass protests demanding democratic reforms, Ershad resigned on December 6, 1990, and was subsequently arrested on corruption charges. Shahabuddin Ahmed served as interim president until elections were held in 1991. In these elections, Khaleda Zia, the widow of General Ziaur Rahman, became the first female prime minister of Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina, her rival, succeeded her in 1996. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) returned to power in 2001 with Zia resuming the prime ministerial role. In 2007, a state of emergency was declared under President Iajuddin Ahmed, leading to a military-led anti-corruption purge that imprisoned both Hasina and Zia. Both leaders were released in 2008, with Hasina’s party winning the subsequent elections and restoring her to the position of prime minister. This turbulent history underscores the recurring instability and challenges in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
The repeated cycles of political violence, coups, and democratic transitions in Bangladesh reflect a deeply unstable political environment. The recent events involving Sheikh Hasina’s escape underscore the ongoing volatility and challenges facing the country. As Bangladesh navigates its current crisis, understanding its historical patterns of instability provides crucial context for the unfolding situation.
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