The End of an Era: How a Student-Led Movement Toppled Sheikh Hasina

The political landscape of Bangladesh has undergone a seismic shift since the dramatic events of 2024, which saw the end of Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule. Sparked by the killing of a student leader in Rangpur,  unrest escalated into a nationwide uprising that toppled her government, leaving  Awami League fractured and struggling for survival. 

The death of Abu Sayeed, a prominent student leader and vocal critic of Hasina’s leadership, on July 16, 2024, became a flashpoint for protests. Sayeed was shot dead by police during a rally in Rangpur, a northern district, igniting outrage across the country.  Protests quickly transformed into a broader movement against Hasina’s perceived authoritarianism, corruption, and government disconnect from public grievances. 

In Dhaka,  the capital, a stark contrast unfolded as Abdur Rahman, a senior minister in Hasina’s cabinet, casually attended a poetry recital while streets burned with unrest. His dismissive reaction to news of protests – captured on video – epitomized many ruling party’s detachments from the struggles of ordinary citizens. 

A Nation in Turmoil 

movement, which began on July 1, gained momentum rapidly as thousands of students, activists, and citizens demanded Hasina’s resignation. By the time protests concluded on August 5,  the toll was devastating: 834 lives lost, over 20,000 injured, and countless families left grieving. Women and children were among the casualties of violent crackdowns by law enforcement. 

Facing mounting pressure and the collapse of her government’s support, Hasina fled the Prime Minister’s residence, Ganabhaban, on August 5. Accompanied by her sister, Sheikh Rehana, she escaped via military helicopter to India, leaving behind a nation in chaos. 

Awami League in Disarray 

aftermath has been particularly harsh for  Awami League, a political juggernaut in Bangladesh since its founding. Accusations of authoritarianism, brutality, and corruption have tarnished the party’s legacy. Grassroots activists, many of whom are now in hiding, have expressed feelings of betrayal. 

“We risked everything for the party, but when we needed m, y disappeared,” said a former leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), who fled his home after BCL was banned by the interim government in October. 

Party leaders, meanwhile, have struggled to accept responsibility. AFM Bahauddin Nasim, a joint secretary, blamed an “international conspiracy” for the government’s downfall, though he failed to provide specifics. Critics argue that such deflection highlights the party’s refusal to confront its failures. 

Awami League’s reliance on outdated committees and intelligence reports has also come under scrutiny. Analysts have pointed to a lack of democratic practices within the party, which many say contributed to its downfall. 

Role of  Student Movement 

The 2024 uprising, dubbed the “July Movement,” was driven by students disillusioned with government policies and emboldened by years of repression.  The reinstatement of a controversial quota system in public jobs acted as a catalyst for protests, but the movement’s goals quickly expanded to include broader demands for democracy and justice. 

Mahfuz Alam, a key figure in student-led protests and now an adviser to the interim government, declared at a recent rally that  Awami League would not be allowed to participate in upcoming elections, set to be held by early 2026. 

A Difficult Path Ahead 

Awami League faces an uphill battle to regain public trust. Tanjim Ahmad Sohel Taj, son of Bangladesh’s first Prime Minister, has called for the party to acknowledge its mistakes. “Awami League must apologize for injustices, corruption, and oppression it perpetuated,” he said in a televised interview. 

Rebuilding the party may prove difficult without Sheikh Hasina, whose image has been severely tarnished by the events of 2024. Analysts believe the party will need to address its internal divisions and reconnect with grassroots members if it hopes to remain relevant. 

Meanwhile,  the interim government under Muhammad Yunus has promised accountability and reform. Trials for those responsible for violence during the uprising are expected to begin later this year, as the country moves toward what many hopes will be a new era of democracy and justice. 

As Bangladesh prepares for elections in 2026,  the nation remains deeply divided.  The question of whether Awami League can rise from the ashes—or where its fall marks the end of an era—looms large over the country’s future.