**Bangladesh’s Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina Addresses Media for the First Time Since Ouster**
In a significant public address on Wednesday, Sheikh Hasina, the ousted former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, spoke to the media for the first time since fleeing Dhaka amid a violent uprising. The virtual address took place in New Delhi, where Hasina expressed her unwavering connection to her homeland despite her forced departure.
“I was forced away from my country, but I was never separated from my people,” Hasina declared, emphasizing her commitment to the citizens of Bangladesh. She lamented the prevailing atmosphere of fear that has gripped the nation, stating, “This is not the Bangladesh that 3 million people sacrificed their lives for.”
Hasina, the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's founding president, reflected on her family's tragic history, recalling the assassination of her family members during a military coup in 1975. Her emotional tribute highlighted the personal stakes involved in her political journey.
In her address, Hasina called for the lifting of the ban on her political party, the Awami League, and demanded the release of political prisoners. She urged for the restoration of freedom of speech and judicial independence, asserting that these fundamental rights had been compromised under the interim government that succeeded her administration.
The former Prime Minister characterized the uprising that led to her ouster as not merely a peaceful student movement but as an organized effort that exploited legitimate grievances. “My government tried to resolve the issue peacefully through dialogue, legal process, and patience,” she stated, accusing organized groups of using the protests as a pretext for violence and demanding her resignation.
Hasina previously indicated in written responses to media inquiries that she believed “foreign mercenaries” were involved in instigating the protests, a claim echoed by Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, a former minister in her government. Chowdhury described the events of 2024 as indicative of a “foreign-funded, meticulously planned regime change operation.”
The unrest began in June 2024 over job quotas and escalated dramatically by mid-July, culminating in violent clashes that resulted in nearly 100 fatalities on August 4. Following these events, crowds stormed Hasina’s official residence, prompting her to flee to India via military helicopter.
In her address, Hasina defended the actions of law enforcement during the protests, stating that the police had come under “organized attack” and that the state had a responsibility to protect its citizens and public institutions. She mentioned the establishment of a judicial inquiry commission to investigate the violence, which she claimed was subsequently obstructed by the interim government.
Hasina alleged that the political climate had turned hostile, with members of her party facing persecution, including killings and arrests. She claimed that over 10,000 individuals had been killed or gone missing in the past two years, and over 600 cases had been filed against her, with reports of torture against female party workers in custody.
The interim government, which took control following her departure, was replaced by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on February 17 of this year. Hasina described the current state of Bangladesh as one characterized by “fear, terror, aggression, economic hardship, and deep insecurity,” asserting that those who uphold the spirit of the nation’s liberation struggle are at risk.
Looking ahead, Hasina indicated her intention to return to Bangladesh in December, despite facing a death sentence issued in absentia. The Bangladesh government has renewed its extradition request for her, coinciding with her media address. However, the event was not widely covered by Bangladeshi media, which described it as a private affair.
As Bangladesh navigates this tumultuous political landscape, Hasina’s address marks a pivotal moment in her ongoing struggle for political relevance and the future of her party amidst a backdrop of unrest and uncertainty.