Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh? Ex-PM sets a condition, blasts Yunus
Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in exile in India, has declared that her return to the country depends on the restoration of “participatory democracy,” the lifting of the ban on her Awami League party, and the holding of free, fair, and inclusive elections.
In an exclusive email interview with PTI from an undisclosed location in India, Hasina accused the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus of damaging bilateral ties with India and empowering extremist forces. Contrasting her foreign policy with that of the current interim government, she said the “broad and deep” relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi should be able to withstand the “foolhardiness of the Yunus interlude”.
Hasina expressed gratitude to the Indian government for providing her refuge, stating she was “immensely grateful to India’s government and its people for their kind hospitality.”
“The most important condition for my return to Bangladesh is the same condition that the Bangladeshi people require: a return to participatory democracy. The interim administration must rescind its ban on the Awami League and allow elections that are free, fair, and inclusive,” she said.
Hasina, Bangladesh’s longest-serving prime minister, fled the country on August 5, 2024, amid violent anti-government protests that forced her resignation and led to the formation of the Yunus-led interim administration.
On whether her government mishandled the protests, the 78-year-old leader admitted, “Obviously, we lost control of the situation and that was regrettable.” She added, “There are many lessons to be learned from these terrible incidents, but in my view, some of the responsibility is also on the so-called student leaders (actually seasoned political firebrands) who whipped up the crowds.”
Hasina rejected reports that she had called for a boycott of elections scheduled for February next year, emphasising that any poll excluding the Awami League would lack legitimacy.
“Tens of millions of people support us… That would be a huge missed opportunity for our country, which badly needs a government ruling with the people’s genuine consent. I hope this foolish ban will be rescinded… Whether in government or in opposition, the Awami League needs to be part of the political conversation in Bangladesh,” she stated.
Asserting that India has “always been Bangladesh’s most important international relationship”, Hasina accused the interim government under Yunus of jeopardising ties with New Delhi through what she called “foolish and self-defeating” diplomatic missteps.
“Yunus’ hostility to India is foolish and self-defeating in the extreme and reveals him for the weak monarch he is, unelected, chaotic, and dependent upon the support of extremists,” she alleged, expressing hope that he would not commit further errors “before exiting the stage.”
To Indians concerned about the hostile environment in Bangladesh, Hasina reassured, “The interim government doesn’t represent what our countrymen and women think. India is and will remain our nation’s most important friend.”
Hasina said she was willing to face trial under international supervision, including at the International Criminal Court (ICC), but claimed Yunus was avoiding this because an impartial process would acquit her.
“I have repeatedly challenged Yunus’ government to prosecute me in the International Criminal Court, if it is so confident of its case. Yunus continues to duck this challenge because he knows that the ICC, a genuinely impartial tribunal, would certainly acquit me,” she said.
She dismissed Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, which has initiated proceedings against her with prosecutors seeking the death penalty as “a kangaroo tribunal” controlled by her political opponents.
“They are trying to neutralise both me and the Awami League as political forces. The fact that they would use the death penalty to suppress their opponents reveals how little respect they have for democracy or due process,” she alleged.
Hasina further claimed Yunus had enjoyed “at least the passive support of some western liberals” who mistakenly viewed him as an ally.
“Now that they have seen him place radicals into his cabinet, discriminate against minorities, and dismantle the constitution, hopefully they are withdrawing their support,” she said.
– Ends
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