9 hours ago
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Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused country's interim leader Muhammad Yunus of failing to safeguard minority communities and perpetrating what she described as "genocide."
In her first public address since resigning in August amidst widespread anti-government protests, Hasina, speaking virtually at an event in New York, alleged targeted attacks on religious minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.
Speaking at an event marking Bangladesh's
Vijay Diwas
, the
Awami League
leader highlighted the worsening plight of minorities under the current regime. "What is this persecution of minorities for? Why are they being ruthlessly attacked?" she questioned.
She also claimed there was a plot to assassinate her and her sister Sheikh Rehana, mirroring the tragic fate of their father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1975.
According to a report by news agency PTI, she referred to her ouster and the violent storming of her official residence, Ganabhaban, on August 5. Hasina said, “The armed protestors were directed toward Ganabhaban. If the security guards had opened fire, many lives would have been lost. I was forced to leave, and I told them not to fire no matter what happened.”
Hasina, speaking in Bengali, said Yunus and other leaders of the interim government were orchestrating violence against minorities. “Today, I am being accused of genocide. In reality, Yunus has been involved in genocide in a meticulously designed manner. Hindus, Buddhists, Christians – no one has been spared. Eleven churches have been razed, temples and Buddhist shrines have been broken. When Hindus protested, the Iskcon leader was arrested.”
She further alleged that her decision to leave Bangladesh in August was aimed at reducing violence but lamented that attacks on minorities had only intensified.
During the event, Hasina also alleged a conspiracy to assassinate her and her sister. “When people were dying indiscriminately, I decided I should leave,” she said, adding that the violence continued despite her resignation.
India has expressed growing concerns over escalating violence and persecution of minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.
'Hasina destroyed everything': Yunus
Bangladesh's interim government head, Muhammad Yunus, has accused the ousted Sheikh Hasina regime of "destroying everything" and vowed to delay general elections until sweeping constitutional and judicial reforms are implemented. The remarks came in an interview with Nikkei Asia and were reported by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha on Wednesday.
The 84-year-old Nobel laureate emphasised the need for comprehensive changes in governance before the country can proceed to the polls. "We need comprehensive reforms in the economy, governance, bureaucracy, and judiciary (before holding elections)," Yunus said.
Yunus also reiterated his government's intent to seek Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India once her trial in Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal concludes. “Once the trial concludes and a verdict is reached, we will formally request India to hand her over,” Yunus said, adding that an international treaty signed by both nations would obligate India to comply.
English (US) · 