Bangladesh protesters call on Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead
NBCAug 10
Report: Bangladeshi Army Refused to Suppress Protest
Above: Bangladesh Army patrol the road of the Dhaka metropolitan area on July 23, 2024. Image copyright: Parvez Ahmad Rony/Drik/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
In the final hours of Sheikh Hasina's tenure as prime minister of Bangladesh, military brass reportedly refused orders to suppress protests that had gripped the country, effectively bringing an end to her 15 years of rule.
Hasina, the country's longest-serving leader, is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — the man who secured Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971. He and several members of Hasina's family were assassinated during a coup in 1975.
The Spin
Narrative A
Though she is the daughter of the country's founder and started as a pro-democracy icon, Hasina's rule slid into authoritarianism by jailing, kidnapping, and killing her opponents. It's no surprise that after so long, Bangladeshis had had enough and demanded her removal from power.
Narrative B
Bangladesh was a failed state when Hasina took the reins and now it's becoming prosperous. After all she has done for the country, it's disappointing to see the people's lack of gratitude. After this treatment, Hasina will not seek to return to power.