New Delhi: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday issued a blistering critique of the political situation in her country, describing Bangladesh as “battered and bleeding” and standing “at the edge of an abyss”. Speaking through an online audio message at an event in New Delhi, Hasina said the nation born out of the Liberation War had been pushed into chaos by extremist forces and foreign actors.
Democracy under siege
Hasina, who has been living in exile in the Indian capital since fleeing Dhaka in August 2024, said Bangladesh had effectively turned into “a vast prison” where fear and violence dominate everyday life. Referring to the legacy of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she alleged that the country he helped create had been devastated by what she called a coordinated assault on democracy and sovereignty.
In unusually sharp language, Hasina targeted Mohammed Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, accusing him of orchestrating her removal from office. She described Yunus as a “murderous fascist” and alleged that he, along with what she termed “anti-state militant accomplices”, carried out a carefully planned conspiracy to unseat her despite her claiming an electoral mandate.
Claims of lawlessness
According to Hasina, her ouster on August 5, 2024 marked the beginning of what she called “an age of terror”, where institutions weakened, justice eroded and citizens were left vulnerable to mob violence and extremism. She further alleged widespread persecution of minorities and accused the interim regime of betraying national interests, warning that democracy itself was now “in exile”.
Her remarks come as the Awami League, which she leads, has been barred from contesting Bangladesh’s next general election scheduled for February 12. Quoting her remarks, PTI reported that Hasina urged unity to defend the Constitution, restore democratic rule and resist what she described as an unelected and violent government.
Attack on rivals
In a separate audio message shared earlier on the Awami League’s Facebook page, Hasina also launched an attack on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the front runner for the upcoming polls. She claimed her government never banned the BNP and had even invited its late leader Khaleda Zia to participate in the 2014 elections. The BNP, she alleged, chose to boycott polls instead and later raised unsubstantiated allegations of irregularities.
Hasina further accused Yunus of using his wealth to fuel an international campaign of “propaganda and disinformation” against her and the Awami League, remarks that were also reported by ANI.