Indira Gandhi And Hasina

There are parallels between Indira Gandhi and Hasina. Indira Gandhi was the long-time Prime Minister of India who helped Hasina's father gain independence for Bangladesh. Hasina would be a long-time Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Indira Gandhi was the daughter of the first prime minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, who became prime minister herself. Hasina was the daughter of the first prime minister of independent Bangladesh, Mujibur Rahman, who became prime minister herself.

Both were the central figure of political parties that became dynasties. Indira Gandhi was not related to Mahatma Gandhi, the spiritual leader of Indian independence. She was Nehru's daughter and Nehru was Mahatma Gandhi's prime minister. But her husband was named Gandhi and the name certainly didn't hurt her political career.

Hasina's father led Bangladesh to independence in 1971. He was assassinated, in 1975, in a coup allegedly led by another Rahman, Ziaur, who was unrelated. Indira Gandhi would also eventually be assassinated, just as Mahatma Gandhi had been. Ziaur Rahman would also be assassinated, in 1981.

So two unrelated leaders with the same name would be assassinated in both countries. In India the name would be Gandhi and in Bangladesh the name would be Rahman. The second Gandhi would be Indira and the daughter of the first Rahman would be Hasina.

Indira Gandhi was assassinated and Hasina was condemned to death while in exile.

The widow of the second Rahman would also play an important role in Bangladeshi politics. Her name is Zia and she would be the perpetual opponent of Hasina. Her son is now the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. His name is Rahman and Indira Gandhi's son, Rajiv, followed her as prime minister after she was assassinated.

So India has been ruled by three Gandhis and Bangladesh has been ruled by three Rahmans.