The Fall of a Dynasty: How Bangladesh’s Youth Toppled Sheikh Hasina’s 15-Year Reign

In the sweltering heat of Dhaka, a chant echoed through the streets: “We want justice!” These words, once whispered in fear, became the battle cry of a nation’s youth, ultimately bringing down one of the world’s longest-serving female leaders.

Sheikh Hasina, the 76-year-old Prime Minister of Bangladesh, had ruled with an iron fist since 2009. Her grip on power seemed unshakeable, until a spark of protest in early July ignited a firestorm that would consume her government.

It began with demonstrations against job quotas, a common grievance in a country where youth unemployment runs high. But as the weeks passed, the movement transformed. No longer content with policy changes, the people now demanded Hasina’s resignation.

The turning point came on a bloody Sunday in August. Nearly 300 lives had already been lost in the protests, but that day saw unprecedented violence. Ninety people, including 13 police officers, perished in clashes that critics called “carnage.” Yet Hasina stood firm, seemingly deaf to the cries of her people.

But something had changed. The next day, defying a nationwide curfew, tens of thousands marched towards Dhaka. Bangladeshis, it seemed, no longer feared bullets. What had begun as a political movement had become a revolution.

Behind the scenes, the military – long a powerful force in Bangladesh’s politics – was reconsidering its stance. Junior officers, troubled by orders to fire on civilians, had voiced their concerns to the military chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman. The army, once Hasina’s bulwark, was now wavering.

As dawn broke on Monday, Hasina found herself trapped. The courts had conceded to the original demands, scrapping the job quotas, but it was too late. The movement had outgrown its initial grievances. Faced with an unstoppable tide of dissent and lacking military support, Hasina made the decision to flee.

Her destination was India, long her staunchest ally. But even Delhi, wary of alienating Bangladesh’s youth, had begun to distance itself from the embattled leader. Hasina’s departure solved a diplomatic dilemma for India, allowing it to reset relations with its important neighbor.

For many Bangladeshis, Hasina’s fall marks the end of an era. The daughter of the country’s founding president, she had once been a symbol of hope and democracy. But years of alleged human rights abuses, forced disappearances, and political oppression had tarnished her legacy.

As night fell on Dhaka, the streets filled with celebration. But amidst the joy, questions loom. What comes next for Bangladesh? Can a new leadership heal the wounds of the past weeks and address the grievances that sparked the uprising?

For now, General Zaman is in talks with opposition parties and civil society groups, seeking an “interim solution.” But one thing is clear: the voice of Bangladesh’s youth, once silenced, will not be easily quieted again. The chant that brought down a government still echoes in the air: “We want justice!”

• DP Kithure Kindiki Appointed to Lead Raila Odinga’s Burial Committee
• Former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga Dies In India
• IPOA criticize rising attacks on police officer  killed outside State House
• General Kahariri warns KDF soldiers against recruitment bribe 
• KDF uncloaks nationwide recruitment as court battle brews over Nairobi centres