Bangladesh Urges India to Return Sheikh Hasina
Bangladesh has formally asked India to return former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who escaped to India on August 5 following her removal from power by a student-led movement.
According to local media reports, Bangladesh's Interim government's Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, stated that the request was submitted to the Indian government via a 'note verbale'.
"We have dispatched a diplomatic note to India, asking for Sheikh Hasina's return," Touhid Hossain told reporters.
On August 5, student-led protests ousted Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, after weeks of demonstrations and violent clashes that left more than 600 people dead. The 76-year-old Hasina fled to India, and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed.
On December 9, Sheikh Hasina claimed that Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, was the 'mastermind' behind the student protests that resulted in her removal from office. She also alleged that the protest was 'meticulously designed' to topple her government.
During a virtual meeting with the United Kingdom Awami League, Hasina asserted that although all the protesters' demands had been fulfilled, the nationwide unrest persisted, indicating that it was a premeditated conspiracy.
Hasina alleged that Yunus was the 'architect' of the protests that led to her removal, stating that the demonstrations were 'meticulously planned' to overthrow her government.
"Yunus himself stated that the protest, which began on July 7, 2024, was not initiated by students but was a carefully planned demonstration aimed at overthrowing him...He was the architect behind this conspiracy as all the demands had been satisfied, leaving no room for protest, even though demonstrations were happening nationwide...It was a meticulously devised plan," Hasina claimed.
She criticized the interim government for its handling of the country's matters, calling it 'fascist' and claiming that the people of Bangladesh were being 'denied' their rights.
"Bangladesh is currently experiencing difficult times. The citizens have been stripped of their rights under an authoritarian regime. All of Bangladesh is engulfed in flames...Bangladesh is currently facing devastation," she added.
The ousted Prime Minister emphasized the recent arrest of former ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das on suspected sedition charges by Bangladeshi officials. She stated that Das couldn't obtain legal counsel and claimed that this event highlights the lack of law and order in Bangladesh.
"Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested, and they stated that no lawyer could defend him.. What sort of justice is this??...This demonstrates that Bangladesh lacks law and order," she added.
The atmosphere in Bangladesh is still volatile, with Hasina condemning the interim government's management of the situation, labeling it as 'fascist' and asserting that the citizens of Bangladesh are being denied their rights. The global community is closely monitoring the situation, with numerous individuals worried about the consequences of Hasina's possible extradition.