In her first international address since losing power during the 2024 mass uprising, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered a scathing attack on Dr Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, through a pre-recorded audio message at a press conference in Delhi. Although she was not physically present, her message was broadcast to journalists at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club.
According to reports by NDTV, Sheikh Hasina described the current interim government as an “illegal and violent regime.” She claimed that under Dr Yunus’s leadership, Bangladesh has descended into a “dark era of fear, lawlessness, and the absence of democracy.” She alleged that the rule of law has effectively collapsed, leaving the fundamental rights of ordinary citizens severely undermined.
The press conference, titled “Save Democracy in Bangladesh”, was attended by several former ministers and senior leaders of the Awami League, who responded to journalists’ questions after the audio broadcast. From the outset, Sheikh Hasina’s message captured the attention of domestic and international media representatives.
Opening her address, she warned, “Bangladesh today faces a profound national crisis,” describing the nation as “a vast prison” under an atmosphere of fear. She highlighted a troubling surge in mob violence, looting, extortion, and threats to personal safety, extending from urban centres to rural areas.
Sheikh Hasina accused the interim government of orchestrating her removal on 5 August 2024 through a calculated conspiracy. Since then, she argued, Bangladesh has been plagued by repression, human rights violations, and attacks on press freedom, with women and religious minorities subjected to ongoing violence.
In her remarks, Dr Yunus was repeatedly labelled as a “murderer,” “tycoon,” “money launderer,” and “power-hungry traitor.” Sheikh Hasina further alleged that his policies were compromising Bangladesh’s sovereignty and facilitating foreign interference.
Beyond personal attacks, she urged all democratic, progressive, and secular forces to unite, emphasising the need to restore the constitution “written in the blood of the martyrs.” She outlined five key demands for national reconstruction:
Concluding her address, Sheikh Hasina called for an international inquiry under the supervision of the United Nations, stating, “National reconciliation is impossible without uncovering the truth.”
NDTV observed that Sheikh Hasina’s remarks reflect the deep political divisions in Bangladesh, portraying the current crisis not merely as a change in government but as a struggle to uphold the ideals of the Liberation War, democracy, and national interest.