NEW DELHI: Extremism, political violence, sheer lawlessness, internal chaos and instability, coupled with severely ruptured relations with the neighbouring countries, thus fueling geopolitical tensions & security crises across South Asia and beyond. This is the characterisation of the interim government in Bangladesh under the rule of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. This sharp statement was asserted by the Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, in an exclusive interview with the ANI.
Sheikh Hasina and her elected Awami League regime were ousted from power in August 2024 as a result of a massive and violent student protest. Since then, Bangladesh has been embroiled in internal political instability, economic crisis and fractured civilian life, and the nation has been revolutionising as a brewing ground for extremist ideologies and other illicit activities, thus threatening the security fabric of the entire region of South Asia. In the exclusive interview, Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticised the Yunus regime for its atrocities in the country, which is working with the sole motive of power consolidation.
Can’t return to Dhaka as it will be a political assassination
Sheikh Hasina reiterated that, given the current political circumstances in Bangladesh, she cannot return to the country, as the only outcome for returning will be a “political assassination”. She stated that the verdict issued against her by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Dhaka is completely politically motivated. Thus, a return to Bangladesh will be possible only when a legitimate government elected in accordance with the people’s mandate and an independent judiciary are restored, Hasina further asserted. The ICT imposed a death sentence on Sheikh Hasina for allegedly committing crimes against humanity during the August 2024 student protest.
She also reiterated that during the hearing in the ICT she was denied access to appoint a lawyer of her choice and was denied the right to defend herself. If she returns to Bangladesh when such an anarchic government is in power, the obvious risk would be a political assassination, said Sheikh Hasina. “This has been a witch hunt against the Awami League”, Hasina echoed. However, beyond all illicit motives, she expressed faith in Bangladesh’s constitutional system.
Yunus regime is a symbol of lawlessness and violence
Sheikh Hasina, while speaking about the death of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi and the political violence surrounding it, said that the incident illustrates the lawlessness in the country and it is a testament to the fact that the interim government is unable to maintain law & order in Bangladesh. “This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government and has multiplied under Yunus. Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it. Such incidents destabilise Bangladesh internally”.
Hasina flagged concerns about spiking radical Islamist ideology and extremism
Sheikh Hasina, in the interview, also flagged concerns regarding the way in which Bangladesh was being revolutionised as a breeding ground to nurture radical Islamist ideology, extremism and other terrorist activities. She blamed the interim government for releasing the convicted terrorists from jail, thus rendering the culprits an opportunity to lay a stronghold in the country. “Yunus has placed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists from prison, and allowed groups linked to international terrorist organisations to take roles in public life”, Hasina exclaimed. These radical forces are championing a hardcore agenda domestically, which is apparently a threat to the social, political and democratic fabric of Bangladesh.
Denounces Yunus regime for derailing relations with India
Sheikh Hasina severely criticised the Yunus government for derailing the long-hailed diplomatic relations with India. She also accused the interim administration of failing to protect the minority rights in Bangladesh. She said, such atrocities targeting the minorities are alarming and also strain the strategic relations with a vital partner like India. She placed the entire blame for the strained relations with India on the Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yuns. “The strain you are witnessing is entirely of Yunus’ making”, Hasina added.
“India sees the chaos, the persecution of minorities and the erosion of everything we built together. When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses. This is the reality of Yunus’s Bangladesh”, Hasina further asserted. The actions of Yunus’ government are alarming and stressful for every nation involved in the comprehensive growth and stability of South Asia, beyond Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina reiterated.
Secularism was the strength and hallmark of Bangladesh. Unfortunately, the country is now slipping into extremism backed by radical Islamic ideology, thus hampering the social and security arch of the country. Sheikh Hasina expressed concern about the chaotic political situation in Bangladesh.
Extremism against India is deliberately engineered
Speaking about the extremist assertions spiking in Bangladesh against India and the rising security concerns Sheikh Hasina said that the hostility is being manufactured by extremists who the Yunus regime has emboldened. “These are the same actors who marched on the Indian embassy and attacked our media offices, who attack minorities with impunity, and who forced me and my family to flee for our lives”.
Speaking about the Indian government’s decision to suspend visa services at the Visa Application Centre in Chittagong, Sheikh Hasina acknowledged India’s security concerns. “A responsible government would protect diplomatic missions and prosecute those who threaten them. Instead, Yunus grants immunity to hooligans and calls them warriors”, Hasina asserted.
Sheikh Hasina also thanked the Indian government and said, “heartened and grateful for the solidarity that India continues to show in maintaining its hospitality for me”. India has been Bangladesh’s most steadfast friend and partner for decades. The relationship was deep and fundamental and would outlast any temporary government, said Sheikh Hasina on the solid Delhi-Dhaka relations.
Hasina criticised comments on the Siliguri corridor
Sheikh Hasina also outrightly rejected the comments made by certain Bangladeshis on the Siliguri corridor or Chicken’s Neck of India. She quotes such comments towards the Siliguri Corridor as “irresponsible and dangerous”. “No serious leader would threaten a neighbour upon whom Bangladesh depends for trade, transit and regional stability”, she said. Emphasising that such views did not reflect public opinion, she added, “These voices do not represent the Bangladeshi people”, and expressed confidence that “once democracy is restored and responsible governance returns, such reckless talk will end”.
Debunks the nexus between Pakistan and Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina also criticised the growing nexus of Bangladesh with Pakistan. She asserted that Muhammad Yunus is just an advisor to an interim government who is not elected by the people’s mandate. Thus, Yunus has no authority to alter the core foreign policy rules of Bangladesh, Hasina said. She further added that Yunus had “no right to make strategic decisions that could impact generations. Once Bangladeshis can vote freely again, our foreign policy will return to serving our national interests”.
An election without the Awami League is a mere coronation
Sheikh Hasina also added that the Bangladesh national elections scheduled for February 2026 are a mere coronation ceremony, as the Awami League political party, which is elected by the people, is banned from contesting the elections. “An election without the Awami League is not an election, but a coronation. Yunus governs without a single vote from the Bangladeshi people and now he seeks to ban the party that has been elected nine times by popular mandate”, Hasina said.
“Historically, when Bangladeshis cannot vote for their preferred party, they do not vote at all. So millions will be effectively disenfranchised if this ban on the Awami League is maintained. Any government that emerges from such an exercise will lack the moral authority to govern. This would be a terribly missed opportunity at a time when Bangladesh badly needs a process of genuine national reconciliation”, Sheikh Hasina reiterated.
