Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a statement on the first anniversary of her government’s collapse, calling on the citizens to “continue” their struggle for “justice, economic opportunity, education, and peace.”
Describing the transition of power as a “dark moment” in the country’s history, Hasina criticised the current regime, which she said had seized power through “unconstitutional means”.
“One year ago today, our nation witnessed the violent interruption of our hard-fought democracy, as an unelected regime seized power through unconstitutional means. It was a dark moment in our history, an affront to the will of the people, and a betrayal of the trust between citizens and the state. While they may have taken power, they will never take away our spirit, our resolve, or our destiny. I can assure you of that,” she said.
‘Power belongs to the people’
The former Bangladesh PM further emphasised that “power belongs to the people, not those who seize it by force,” and asserted that no regime can suppress the “will of the nation”.
Statement from Sheikh Hasina
Marking One Year Since the Fall of Democracy
——————This is an open letter to the honest, hard-working and patriotic people of Bangladesh.
One year ago today, our nation witnessed the violent interruption of our hard-fought democracy, as an…
— Bangladesh Awami League (@albd1971) August 5, 2025
“We must continue to stand for justice, for economic opportunity, for education, for peace, and for a nation where no one lives in fear. Together, we will rebuild what has been broken. Together, we will reclaim the institutions that were taken from us. And together, we will write a new chapter, one defined not by oppression, but by hope, progress, and freedom,” Hasina wrote.
She then urged Bangladeshis to continue standing up for “justice, for economic opportunity, for education, for peace, and for a nation where no one lives in fear.”
Hasina’s latest remarks came as her trial began at Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka for alleged crimes against humanity. She is facing charges of crimes against humanity related to the violent suppression of student-led protests in 2024, which led to her government’s collapse.
Sheikh Hasina’s ouster
Bangladesh, on Tuesday (Aug 5), marked a year of its long-serving former PM Hasina’s dramatic ouster.
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What started as student-led protests against a government job quota system, escalated to violent clashes and unrest that forced Hasina to flee to India.
Following this, the military declared that it would form an interim government, which Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus is currently heading.
The country, once hailed for its promising economic growth and social progress, is still grappling with instability.
Timeline of events
July 1, 2024
The university students took to the streets, constructing barricades and blocking roads and railway lines to demand reforms to the quota system for coveted public sector jobs. The protests were aimed at challenging the existing system, which they felt was unfair and limited opportunities for deserving candidates.
July 16, 2024
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The violence intensified as the protesters and pro-government supporters threw bricks at each other and fought with sticks, claiming six lives.
July 18, 2024
Protesters torched the headquarters of state broadcaster Bangladesh Television along with several other government buildings, chanting “down with the dictator”, hours after Hasina called for peace, warning that every “murder” in the protests would be punished.
By then, at least 32 people had lost their lives and a hundred others were injured.
July 21, 2024
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court ruled that the decision to reintroduce job quotas was illegal. However, this did not stop the protesters as their demands to fully abolish the reserved jobs for children of “freedom fighters” from Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war against Pakistan were not met.
August 5, 2024
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Hasina fled to India after protesters stormed her palace, with thousands celebrating.
