Author: Arafat Kabir

In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down and fled the country after weeks of antigovernment protests on August 5. Despite maintaining a firm grip on power, Hasina’s refusal to compromise and reliance on state violence ultimately led to her downfall. Her disconnect from the Bangladeshi public became apparent as hundreds of students protested demanding reform and her resignation. Hasina’s fall from grace serves as a cautionary tale to dictators worldwide and a testament to the power of a nation’s disillusioned youth. Despite initially riding on young people’s support, she alienated allies and suppressed dissent,…