Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: Deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is giving a virtual speech at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Delhi. Mujib's daughter had to leave Bangladesh on August 5, 2024 due to strong student protests. She is giving her first live public speech on Wednesday, August 5, on the anniversary of the so-called student revolution. At the beginning of her speech, Hasina said in a strong voice, "I am Mujib's daughter... They can put me in jail. They can frame me in false cases. I will return to Bangladesh, I will return for the people of that country. I will return to put the country back on the right track."
Referring to the 'cursed' day two years ago, Hasina said, "There was no peaceful movement that day. False propaganda was spread. I have seen Bangladesh suffer for the last two years. An atmosphere of fear has engulfed that country. This is not the Bangladesh that 3 million people sacrificed their lives for Bangladesh in 1971. The student movement of 2024 was not peaceful. Initially, we tried to resolve the problem, but some organized groups turned the students' demands into violent movements. We abolished the quota system and took the initiative to negotiate, 3 ministers even sat for discussions. But they demanded my resignation, spreading false propaganda."
She said, "There was no spontaneous student movement in Bangladesh. Rather, it was planned very well to seize power. The character of this movement changed after July 15. The country's property was burnt to ashes that day." Hasina has been found guilty of multiple charges, including genocide. She is facing the death penalty. Hasina has said that she is willing to surrender. She just wants to return to her country. Although the current government is reluctant to give her that opportunity. The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal and the Chief Public Prosecutor has said that Hasina will be sent straight to jail as soon as she sets foot in the country. She will not be given any other opportunity. On this day, from the stage of an event organized by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in Delhi, she said, "There was no spontaneous student movement in Bangladesh. Rather, it was planned very well to seize power. The character of this movement changed after July 15. The country's property was burned to ashes that day." She said, "They can send me to jail, they can kill me... anything can happen, but I have to return."
Sheikh Hasina said that in 1981, during the rule of then President Ziaur Rahman, there were attempts to stop her from returning to Bangladesh, but she returned despite that. Determined to return, she said, “They can send me to jail, they can kill me… anything can happen, but I have to return.” Sheikh Hasina alleged, “Since his removal from power, Bangladesh’s economy has deteriorated severely, industrial production has contracted for the first time in decades, the default rate has increased drastically, poverty has increased and investment has weakened.” She claimed, “The current BNP government in Bangladesh is running government works by borrowing 700 to 900 crore taka from Bangladesh Bank every month. Currently, many factories are closed. Hundreds of industrialists and businessmen have either fled the country.”
Sheikh Hasina claimed, “Her government had formed a judicial inquiry commission on July 18, 2024 to investigate every death during the student protests in Bangladesh, but she alleged that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus did not allow that inquiry to be held after taking power.”
Sheikh Hasina claimed, “Her government had formed a judicial inquiry commission on July 18, 2024 to investigate every death during the student protests in Bangladesh, but she alleged that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus did not allow that inquiry to be held after taking power. She further alleged that those involved in the unrest have been released. Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the real motive behind the decisions taken by Muhammad Yunus’ government has come to light. Hasina’s question is, “If Yunus is not afraid in the government, then why was the truth not allowed to come out?” Hasina’s son said, “Bangladesh has become another Pakistan. Awami League activists are being killed in police custody, the media is being attacked, Bangladesh has become a state of criminals. Fundamentalists close to Pakistan are on the rise, organizations like Hizb ut Tahrir are active in that country. India is the world's largest media, so my request is that the Indian media should highlight all these things. Then the issues will come to light in the international arena. If Bangladesh is not brought back on the right path, the future of India is also in danger.”
Not only Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy was also present virtually at the event today. In addition, several personalities like former Bangladesh Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and former captain Shakib-al-Hasan were also present. Hasina's son said at the event today, “Bangladesh has become another Pakistan. Awami League activists are being killed in police custody, the media is being attacked, Bangladesh has become a state of criminals. Fundamentalists close to Pakistan are on the rise, organizations like Hizb ut Tahrir are active in that country. India is the world's largest media, so my request is that the Indian media should highlight all these things. Then the issues will come to light in the international arena. If Bangladesh is not brought back on the right path, India's future is also in danger."
According to a section of analysts, Hasina's message today and the surrounding situation are very significant. Recently, the Teesta Water Treaty, Pushin, and Chinese activity in Bangladesh have caused a cold snap in New Delhi-Dhaka relations. Breaking tradition, the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, visited China first after coming to power. His government is giving a new dimension to relations with Pakistan. Starting from Lalmani Hat to the increasing Chinese activity in the Mungla Port. All in all, it is not difficult to guess that Delhi is not looking at the issue well. In this context, it is believed that the message was given to Tarique Rahman through Hasina.