Addressing her party from New York, Sheikh Hasina painted a grim picture of Bangladesh under the Yunus-led interim regime. She accused the administration of masterminding violence against minorities and claimed to have narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. Her remarks have deepened the political divide as the nation grapples with unrest and communal tensions.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently residing in India on political asylum, unleashed a scathing critique of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus during a virtual address at an Awami League event in New York. Hasina accused the Yunus administration of mass killings and orchestrating violence against minorities amidst rising unrest in Bangladesh.
Hasina’s remarks came despite the interim government’s request to India to prevent her from making political statements during her stay. This is going to further strain the relation between Dhaka and New Delhi and might fuel anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh.
The remarks follows a white paper released by the interim government, alleging that $234 billion was siphoned off during Hasina’s tenure, some of which was purportedly routed through India.
Hasina’s Counterattack
Hasina accused Yunus and his student coordinators of masterminding violence. “Today, I have been accused of mass killings. In reality, it is Muhammad Yunus who has indulged in mass killings through a meticulously designed plan,” she said.
She also implicated Tarique Rahman, the son of BNP leader Khaleda Zia, claiming he supported the unrest from London. “Even Tarique Rahman has said that if the deaths continue, the government won’t last,” she added.
Accusations of Minority Persecution
Hasina expressed alarm over targeted violence against Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and their places of worship. “Teachers, police, and minorities are being attacked and killed. Churches and temples have been vandalized. Why are minorities being targeted in Bangladesh now?” she questioned.
Her remarks echoed growing concerns over communal violence in Bangladesh, with recent reports highlighting attacks on the Hindu community and the arrest of three Hindu monks under the interim government.
Tensions Over Economic Allegations
The white paper released by the interim administration accused Hasina’s government of severe economic mismanagement and corruption. In response, Hasina dismissed the claims, asserting that her departure from Bangladesh was a step to prevent further violence.
“I Did Not Want a Massacre”
Reflecting on her decision to leave Bangladesh on August 5 amidst student protests, Hasina stated, “If I wanted to hold on to power, there would have been a massacre. When people were being killed indiscriminately, I decided to leave. Had my security personnel opened fire, so many would have died at Gana Bhavan. I did not want that.”
She also claimed there was a plot to assassinate her akin to the killing of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975. “An armed mob came to Gana Bhavan to assassinate me. It was a matter of 25–30 minutes. But I told my security not to open fire,” she recounted.
Rising Tensions
Hasina’s pointed criticism has added to the challenges faced by the interim government, which is grappling with political unrest and growing concerns over communal violence. With both sides trading accusations, the political and social landscape of Bangladesh remains precarious.
