From Exile, Sheikh Hasina Breaks Silence and Urges Bangladeshis to Rise Against Interim Rule

Seventeen months after being pushed out of power, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has spoken publicly for the first time, delivering a sharp political message from India. The Awami League leader launched a direct attack on the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus and called on the people of Bangladesh to remove it from power.

In her message, Hasina urged citizens to demand an independent and impartial United Nations investigation into the violent events that shook the country in August 2024. She warned that Bangladesh is currently being “devastated by extremist communal forces and foreign criminal elements,” and argued that the country is heading in a dangerous direction under the present leadership.

A First Call from India

Addressing the nation through a recorded audio message played at an event in New Delhi, Hasina appealed for the restoration of the constitution and asked citizens to unite to protect religious minorities. She asserted that free and fair elections would be impossible if the Yunus-led administration remained in power, branding the current setup as “illegal.”

Her statement came just a day after campaigning began for Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. Notably, the Awami League has been barred from contesting the polls, a move that Hasina says further undermines democratic legitimacy.

She accused the interim government of presiding over chaos and fear, claiming that the country is under siege from radical elements. Hasina, now 78, was forced to leave Dhaka and seek refuge in India following widespread anti-government protests in August 2024. She has remained there ever since.

Political Tensions Ahead of Elections

Hasina’s remarks arrive at a highly sensitive moment, with elections approaching and political uncertainty already running high in Bangladesh. While the Yunus administration insists it is steering the country through reforms and stability, Hasina’s intervention has reignited concerns over electoral fairness and democratic norms.

This first formal public address in nearly a year and a half marks a significant re-entry by Sheikh Hasina into the political narrative of Bangladesh. Observers believe her call could further intensify tensions in Dhaka and reshape the tone of the upcoming elections, potentially setting the stage for renewed political confrontation.