Sheikh Hasina is a major political leader from Bangladesh. She served as Prime Minister for many years and is the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Early Life
Sheikh Hasina was born on September 28, 1947, in Tungipara village, which is now in Bangladesh. Her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, led the fight for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971. She grew up in a family very active in politics. She studied at Dhaka University and finished her degree in 1973.
Family Tragedy
On August 15, 1975, a military coup killed her father, mother, brothers, and other family members. Hasina and her sister survived because they were outside the country at the time. This sad event forced her to live in exile, mostly in India, for six years.
Return and Leadership
In 1981, she came back to Bangladesh and became the leader of the Awami League, the party started by her father. She worked hard to bring democracy back after military rule.
Time as Prime Minister
- She first became Prime Minister in 1996 after her party won the election. She served until 2001.
- She focused on growing the economy, building roads and bridges, and making life better for women and children.
- After some years out of power, she won again in 2008 (and took office in 2009). She stayed as Prime Minister until 2024.
- During this long time, Bangladesh saw fast economic growth, less poverty, and big projects like the Padma Bridge.
But many people criticized her rule. Some said her government limited free speech, controlled elections, and treated opponents unfairly.
2024 Events and Exile
In 2024, big student protests started against job rules. These grew into protests against her government. Many people died in clashes. On August 5, 2024, she resigned and left for India. She has lived in exile there since then.
After she left, courts in Bangladesh found her guilty in some cases (including a death sentence in late 2025 for events in 2024). She was not present at the trials.
The New Delhi Speech and “Gul Plaza”
In January 2026, amid Bangladesh’s preparations for national elections in February (the first since her ouster, under an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus), Hasina made her first major public address from exile. She spoke via audio message at a public event in New Delhi, India, organized around themes like “Save Democracy in Bangladesh.
In the speech, she launched a fierce attack on the interim Yunus administration, calling it “fascist,” “corrupt,” and “illegal.” She accused it of violence, repression, and failing to ensure free and fair elections. Hasina urged the people of Bangladesh to rise up, reclaim democracy, and remove the Yunus government. She outlined steps to “heal the country,” including ending violence and restoring democratic processes.
Regarding Gul Plaza (likely a reference to a tragic fire incident in a shopping complex/building, which became a point of political contention and criticism of safety standards or governance issues in related discussions), no direct prominent mention ties her New Delhi speech explicitly to it based on available reports. However, the event occurred against a backdrop of ongoing political polarization, where various incidents (including fires and violence) were invoked in criticisms of both her past rule and the current interim setup. Her address emphasized broader themes of national crisis, bloodshed, and the need for uprising rather than focusing on a specific site like Gul Plaza.
Legacy
Sheikh Hasina is loved by many as the daughter of Bangabandhu (Friend of Bengal) who helped make Bangladesh stronger and richer. Others see her as a leader who made the country less free. At 78 years old in 2026, she still influences politics from exile, and her party, the Awami League, remains important.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Sheikh Hasina?
Sheikh Hasina is a Bangladeshi politician and the longtime leader of the Awami League party. She was Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1996–2001 and 2009–2024. She is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh.
Why did Sheikh Hasina leave Bangladesh?
In August 2024, large protests against her government turned violent. Many people died during the clashes. She resigned as Prime Minister and fled to India for safety. She has been in exile there since then.
What happened in her New Delhi speech in 2026?
On January 23, 2026, she gave an audio speech at an event in New Delhi. She called the current temporary government unfair and asked people in Bangladesh to rise up and protect democracy. Bangladesh’s government criticized India for allowing the speech.
Has Sheikh Hasina been punished by courts?
Yes, after leaving Bangladesh, courts there found her guilty in several cases. This includes a death sentence in 2025 related to the 2024 protests. These trials happened without her being present.
What is her current status in 2026?
As of January 2026, Sheikh Hasina is still living in exile in India. She remains a powerful voice in Bangladeshi politics through her speeches and supporters in the Awami League.
Why is she called the daughter of Bangabandhu?
“Bangabandhu” means “Friend of Bengal” and is the title given to her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, for his role in Bangladesh’s independence. People call her his daughter to show respect for her family legacy.
