Bangladesh voices shock at Sheikh Hasina’s New Delhi speech

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Hasina openly called for the removal of the Bangladesh government and allegedly issued incitements to her party loyalists and the public to commit acts of violence aimed at disrupting the upcoming general elections, according to Dhaka Tribune.

“The unabashed incitements by Awami League leadership yet again demonstrate why the interim government had to ban its activities,” the statement read.

The government added that it would hold the Awami League accountable for any incidents of violence or terror leading up to and on election day, and that appropriate measures would be taken to counter such activities.

Bangladesh also expressed disappointment that, despite repeated requests under the bilateral extradition agreement, India has not acted on demands to hand over Hasina. Instead, she was allowed to make such statements from Indian soil, the ministry said.

“This clearly endangers Bangladesh’s democratic transition, as well as peace and security,” the Ministry added.

During her first public address in India since leaving office in 2024, Hasina launched a strong political attack against Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of presiding over an “illegal and violent” regime that has plunged Bangladesh into chaos.

Speaking via audio message at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Delhi, at an event titled Save Democracy in Bangladesh, Hasina framed the crisis as a fight for national sovereignty and constitutional survival. The event was attended by several former Awami League ministers and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora.

Although she did not appear in person, Hasina’s speech was uncompromising in tone. She repeatedly denounced Yunus as a “murderous fascist,” “money launderer,” and “traitor,” accusing him of serving foreign interests and pushing Bangladesh toward instability.

“Bangladesh stands today on the edge of an abyss,” Hasina said, invoking the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War and her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.