NEW DELHI: Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently seeking refuge in India, has accused the United States of playing a role in her removal from power as she promised a prompt return to Dhaka.
Hasina, who resigned on August 5 following intense nationwide protests and a deadly crackdown on demonstrators, fled to India amid escalating unrest. The protests, largely driven by student-led movements and discontent with a controversial quota system for government jobs, had transformed into a significant civil disobedience campaign against her 15-year rule.
In her first statement since her departure, Hasina, 76, addressed her supporters from her new location in India. She expressed sorrow over the violence that marked her departure, stating, “I resigned, so that I did not have to see the procession of dead bodies. They wanted to come to power over the dead bodies of students, but I did not allow it. I resigned from the premiership. I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal.”
The US Embassy in Dhaka had not responded to requests for comment on these allegations as of Sunday. Hasina’s remarks have heightened tensions and further complicated the already volatile situation in Bangladesh.
The former Prime Minister expressed that her decision to step down was driven by a desire to prevent further loss of life and damage. “If I had remained in the country, more lives would have been lost, more resources would have been destroyed. I made the extremely difficult decision to exit. I became your leader because you chose me, you were my strength,” Hasina said.
Hasina, who has been a central figure in Bangladeshi politics, is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s founding leader. She first served as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2001 and returned to power in 2009. Under her leadership, Bangladesh saw significant economic growth, with over 25 million people lifted out of poverty in the past two decades. However, her tenure was increasingly marked by accusations of authoritarianism and threats to democracy.
The unrest that led to her ouster began with student protests over a government job quota system. Initially peaceful, the demonstrations escalated into violent clashes with security forces, resulting in at least 300 deaths and approximately 11,000 arrests. The situation intensified with the emergence of a broad-based civil disobedience movement, culminating in Hasina’s resignation.
Hasina promised to return to Bangladesh and expressed her commitment to the country, stating, “With the grace of almighty Allah, I will return soon. The Awami League has stood up again and again. I shall forever pray for the future of Bangladesh.”
