Bangladesh criticizes India following former Prime Minister Hasina’s initial public address as a fugitive.
The political landscape in Bangladesh is entering a critical phase as the country prepares for its first general election since the 2024 uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In a surprising turn of events, Hasina addressed supporters from abroad, prompting strong reactions from the Bangladeshi government. This incident highlights the ongoing divisions within the nation and raises questions about the future of democracy and governance as Bangladesh approaches its electoral moment.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep surprise and concern regarding the recent public address made by Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister now living in exile in India. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry characterized her speech as a “clear affront” to both the people and the government of Bangladesh. The ministry specifically condemned what it described as “hate speech” delivered by Hasina during her appearance at a news conference, which marked her first since being ousted in 2024.
Sheikh Hasina, now 78, has resided in India since an uprising led by students and activists concluded her 15-year rule, which was clouded by numerous allegations of human rights violations. The government claimed that her tenure was marred by attacks, imprisonment, and the targeting of opposition figures and dissenters. In November 2024, a Dhaka court sentenced her to death in absentia for inciting violence and failing to prevent atrocities during her government’s crackdown on the demonstrators.
During her address at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in New Delhi, Hasina disparaged the current interim government, accusing its head, Muhammad Yunus, of being a “murderous fascist.” She also asserted that Bangladesh would not see “free and fair elections” under his administration. This address garnered attention, with more than 100,000 viewers watching it online.
As Bangladesh gears up for its general elections on February 12, the political climate remains tense. Hasina’s Awami League party finds itself banned from participation, having had its registration suspended by the Election Commission only last May. The ministry’s statement emphasized that Hasina’s speech incited her followers to resist the interim government and potentially disrupt the forthcoming elections.
The Foreign Ministry cautioned that this behavior risks setting a “dangerous precedent” that could damage diplomatic relations with India, which has not yet complied with Bangladesh’s calls for Hasina’s extradition. As the nation, home to approximately 170 million people, approaches a pivotal electoral moment, the leading contenders for power include the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and a coalition formed by Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamist party in the Muslim-majority country.
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