Ousted Prime Minister Accuses Interim Government of Conspiracy as Tensions Escalate in Bangladesh
Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 23: Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024, following her ouster by a student-led movement.
The request was officially conveyed via a “note verbale” to the Indian government, confirmed by Touhid Hossain, Foreign Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh’s Interim Government, according to local media reports.
“We have sent a note verbale to India requesting to send Sheikh Hasina back,” Hossain told reporters.
Political Crisis and Accusations
Sheikh Hasina was removed from power after weeks of student protests and violent clashes that claimed over 600 lives. The aftermath saw the formation of an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.
On December 9, Hasina accused Yunus of being the “mastermind” behind the student protests, alleging that the movement was meticulously planned to overthrow her government.
“Yunus himself said that the student protest that started on July 7, 2024, was not student-initiated but a meticulously designed protest to overthrow me… It was a meticulous conspiracy,” Hasina said during a virtual meeting with the United Kingdom Awami League.
She further criticized the interim administration, labeling it “fascist” and accusing it of depriving the people of their rights.
“Today Bangladesh is going through a tough time. Under a fascist government, the people of Bangladesh have been deprived of their rights. The whole of Bangladesh is burning… Today, Bangladesh is being destroyed,” she added.
Legal Concerns and International Scrutiny
Hasina also raised concerns over the arrest of former ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das on alleged sedition charges. She criticized the denial of legal representation for Das, calling it a violation of justice.
“They arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das and said there couldn’t be any kind of lawyer defending him. What kind of justice is this? This proves that Bangladesh doesn’t have law and order,” Hasina stated.
Geopolitical Implications
The situation in Bangladesh remains tense, with Hasina continuing to accuse the interim government of authoritarian governance. The international community is closely observing the unfolding developments, especially regarding the potential extradition of Sheikh Hasina and its implications for regional stability and governance.
India has yet to issue an official response to Bangladesh’s extradition request.
