Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused the country’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus of failing to protect minority communities and perpetrating what she described as “genocide”.
In her first public address since resigning in August amid widespread anti-government protests, Hasina, speaking virtually at an event in New York, accused targeted attacks on religious minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.
Speaking at an event marking Bangladesh victory dayThe Awami League The leader highlighted the worsening plight of minorities under the present regime. “What is this persecution of minorities for? Why are they being brutally attacked?” she questioned.
She also claimed that there was a conspiracy to kill 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 eviction on August 5 and the violent storm at her official residence Gana Bhavan. Hasina said, “The armed protesters were directed towards the Gana Bhavan. Had the security personnel opened fire, many lives would have been lost. I was forced to leave, and I told them not to fire at all.
Hasina, speaking in Bengali, said Yunus and other leaders of the interim government were planning violence against minorities. “Today, I am being accused of genocide. In fact, Yunus is complicit in the genocide in a carefully designed manner. Hindus, Buddhists, Christians – none were spared. Eleven churches have been demolished, temples and Buddhist temples demolished. An ISKCON leader was arrested when Hindus protested.
She further alleged that her decision to leave Bangladesh in August was to reduce violence but lamented that attacks on minorities had intensified.
During the event, Hasina also accused of plotting her and her sister’s murder. “When people were dying indiscriminately, I decided I should leave,” she said, adding that the violence continued despite her resignation.
India has expressed concern over rising violence in Bangladesh and persecution of minorities, particularly Hindus.
‘Hasina destroyed everything’: Yunus
The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has accused Sheikh Hasina’s regime of “destroying everything” and vowed to delay general elections until comprehensive constitutional and judicial reforms are implemented. The comment came in an interview with Nikki Asia and was reported by the Bangladesh Dialogue Institute on Wednesday.
The 84-year-old Nobel laureate stressed the need for sweeping changes in governance before the country heads 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 intention to extradite Sheikh Hasina from India after the completion of her trial at the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh. “Once the trial is over and the verdict is delivered, we will formally request India to hand her over,” Yunus said, adding that India will be bound to abide by an international treaty signed by both nations.
