Lessons for Sheikh Hasina on Indira Gandhi’s 41st Death Anniversary

As India remembers its “Iron Lady”, the life of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina draws notable parallels with Indira Gandhi’s—both shaped by legacy, resilience, and controversy. On Gandhi’s death anniversary, it’s worth exploring what Hasina can learn from Indira’s political journey—especially her rise from the ashes after the 1975 Emergency.

Parallels Between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Hasina

• Daughters of freedom leaders:
  Indira Gandhi was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, while Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding President of Bangladesh. Both inherited powerful political legacies.

• First women Prime Ministers of their nations:
  Indira Gandhi broke barriers as India’s first woman Prime Minister; Hasina did the same for Bangladesh.

• Heirs to strong political dynasties:
  Gandhi came from the influential Nehru family, deeply embedded in India’s freedom struggle. Hasina, too, carried forward the ideals of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led Bangladesh to independence.

• Faced public backlash and political downfall:
  Indira Gandhi faced widespread protests during the Emergency (1975–77), losing power in 1977. Similarly, Hasina’s government faced mass demonstrations in 2024, forcing her to flee Bangladesh amid political and security turmoil.

• Survived assassination attempts:
  Indira Gandhi escaped a knife attack in 1980, as reported by The Washington Post. Sheikh Hasina, too, survived a grenade attack in Dhaka in 2004, which killed 24 people and injured hundreds.

Indira Gandhi’s Political Rebirth

After declaring the Emergency in 1975—during which civil liberties were suspended, the press was censored, and thousands were jailed—Indira Gandhi eventually lifted it in 1977. She lost both her government and parliamentary seat in the subsequent elections.

However, instead of resisting the people’s verdict, Indira accepted defeat and acknowledged her mistakes. At a public meeting in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, in January 1978, she admitted that the Emergency had eroded public trust. Her humility marked the beginning of her political redemption.

What Helped Indira Gandhi Regain Power

1. Disunity in the opposition:
   The Janata Party, which ousted her in 1977, was a fragile coalition held together only by opposition to Indira. Internal rivalries soon caused its collapse by 1979.

2. Her enduring image as a strong leader:
   Despite criticism, many Indians viewed Indira as a decisive and capable administrator. Her 1980 campaign slogan, “Elect a Government That Works,” resonated with voters seeking stability.

3. Welfare-driven governance:
   Initiatives like Garibi Hatao (Eradicate Poverty), bank nationalisation, and land reforms had built her image as a leader of the poor and women, ensuring continued grassroots support.

4. Public sympathy and timing:
   Her brief imprisonment after the 1977 loss generated public empathy, helping her stage a powerful comeback in 1980.

Lessons for Sheikh Hasina

Unlike Indira Gandhi, Sheikh Hasina has yet to take public responsibility for the crackdown and unrest during the 2024 Bangladesh riots, which culminated in her ouster and exile.

Indira’s ability to admit mistakes and reconnect with the people was crucial in restoring her political credibility. For Hasina, too, acknowledgment and reconciliation—rather than denial—could be the first step toward rebuilding her image and legacy.

Today, Hasina lives in India, reportedly seeking political asylum in the UK, while her party, the Awami League, faces growing criticism and restrictions back home.

As history shows through Indira Gandhi’s journey, redemption in politics requires humility, accountability, and a willingness to listen to the people—qualities that could help Sheikh Hasina navigate her own path back from political isolation