The country was under military rule from 1975 to 1990 when a popular uprising toppled the army dictator. Ultimately, a democratic set-up was established in 1991, but the train of democracy was derailed when the country came under a state of emergency in 2007. However, the military-backed caretaker government succeeded in holding free and fair elections in December 2008, which brought Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to power as the Grand Alliance led by her party, Awami League, won an overwhelming two-thirds majority. Under her leadership, democracy was restored in the country that took deeper roots. Her long crusade for restoration of democracy was highly acclaimed both at home and abroad. Of late, former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and renowned journalist, MJ Akbar, termed Sheikh Hasina as a restorer of democracy.

MJ Akbar showered praise on her for restoring democracy in the country, much like her father who spearheaded the fight for freedom. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led a revolt to free the then East Pakistan and helped create Bangladesh in 1971. Afterwards, his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led a second revolution by defeating dictatorship and re-establishing democracy. Her emergence in the country’s political landscape in May 1981 was, in simple terms, a campaign for a restoration of democracy. She suffered a lot in her fight for democracy and human rights. On the way, attacks and conspiracies came, but she never bowed down to any pressure and intimidation. Because of her relentless efforts, democracy has taken a deeper root in the country. To save the democracy, development and achievements of the country, there is no alternative to her.