'Braveheart' Hasina led 'second revolution' in Bangladesh: MJ Akbar

While Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans revolution gave Bangladesh its freedom in 1971, it was his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who wrought a second revolution by defeating dictatorship and re-establishing democracy, eminent thinker M J Akbar has said, describing her as a Bangla braveheart.


PTI | Kolkata | Updated: 17-01-2023 14:23 IST | Created: 17-01-2023 14:23 IST
'Braveheart' Hasina led 'second revolution' in Bangladesh: MJ Akbar
  • Country:
  • India

While Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's revolution gave Bangladesh its freedom in 1971, it was his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who wrought a ''second revolution'' by defeating dictatorship and re-establishing democracy, eminent thinker M J Akbar has said, describing her as a Bangla 'braveheart'. Akbar, veteran journalist and former Union minister, also said that Bangladesh is moving along the path to be a "modern" nation.

He was in conversation with Syed Badrul Ahsan, Dhaka-based author and journalist, on India-Bangladesh relations, at a function organised by an organisation, India Narrative, in Kolkata on Monday.

"The 1971 war was not only a war for liberation. It was also a war of ideology," said Akbar, a former Rajya Sabha MP.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led a revolt to free East Pakistan and create Bangladesh in 1971, Akbar said, adding that his daughter "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led a second revolution by defeating dictatorship and re-establishing democracy".

She can be described as "Bangabir" (Bangla braveheart), he said.

Sheikh Hasina stormed into power in an election in 2009, ending a state of emergency during which a caretaker government backed by the army ruled. During its 51 years of independence, Bangladesh has been beset by military coups and Sheikh Hasina's stint, since 2009, has stood out as a prolonged period of democratic rule.

From the time of the French Revolution, people hear about Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, the veteran journalist, who has several books to his credit, said.

"Now, another important element must be added to that – Modernity. Modernity is democracy, modernity is religious freedom, and most importantly, elimination of poverty. Bangladesh is moving towards modernity," he said.

Bangladesh is a strong nation, Ahsan said, adding that it adopted its constitution within a year of getting liberated and held its first general election within two years. On women's empowerment in his country, the journalist said that besides prime ministers, ''we have women as bureaucrats, in the police force who go as members of UN peacekeeping forces and as vice-chancellors".

In the next general election in Bangladesh to be held early 2024, the key issues will include addressing corruption, continuing economic growth despite the Russia-Ukraine war and maintaining a strong foreign policy, Ahsan said.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Give Feedback