Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has extended her heartfelt thanks to the Indian people for providing her with a “safe haven” as she resides in self-imposed exile in India since August 2024. Hasina has alleged that the interim government in Bangladesh, under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is actively promoting “violent and extremist” ideologies, which she believes are severely straining the relationship with India. She warned that Yunus’s alleged “sponsorship of extremists” within his government poses a significant danger to the decades-old friendship between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Her government’s collapse in August 2024 was precipitated by weeks of widespread, often violent, protests. These demonstrations were largely sparked by accusations of corruption, abuse of power, and the stifling of opposition voices. Facing intense pressure and escalating clashes, Hasina’s administration was forced out, leading her to flee to India citing security concerns, including her home being reportedly besieged by crowds and a lack of protection from the incoming administration.
Hasina has strongly denounced the interim government’s move to ban the Awami League, her political party, from contesting the upcoming general elections. She characterized this ban as a violation of the constitution and a suppression of the democratic rights of her party’s vast support base. Moreover, Hasina cautioned that the current leadership in Bangladesh could lead to political destabilization and damage the nation’s vital international relationships, particularly with India, due to the alleged promotion of extremist elements within the government.