Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed raised concerns about India’s decision to let former prime minister Sheikh Hasina address a news conference in New Delhi, a move that has drawn criticism from Bangladesh’s interim government.
Bangladesh officials demand an explanation.
Speaking to the outlet on Thursday, Salahuddin said Indian authorities “gave her shelter” after the July 2024 uprising that ousted the Awami League. He added that while in India, Hasina “has been carrying out political activities involving Bangladesh” and was “directly allowed to speak to the media.” The remarks echo worries that the venue could be seen as endorsing a figure the interim administration says faces a death sentence for crimes against humanity.
Hasina participated via audio link at a news conference organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia on Wednesday. The event marked two years since the Awami League government fell. She answered questions from reporters but avoided commenting on whether she would apologise for the killings that occurred during the July Uprising.
Legal and political backdrop in Bangladesh
The interim administration, led by Muhammad Yunus, has prohibited Awami League activities through an ordinance that the subsequent BNP government retained after assuming power. Salahuddin said the party’s conduct during the uprising amounted to “genocide” and noted that ongoing proceedings before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) would determine accountability.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry expressed dismay at the New Delhi event, warning that broadcasting Hasina’s remarks could violate a court directive. The tribunal’s chief prosecutor, Md Aminul Islam, responded that “Sheikh Hasina’s hateful statements or hate speech should not be broadcast,” questioning the legal basis for restricting the remainder of her speech.
Related: Benapole sees surge in green chilli imports
In practice, the ban on Awami League activities has limited the party’s ability to organise rallies or publish statements within Bangladesh. This constraint affects supporters who rely on public gatherings to voice dissent, effectively pushing political discourse into private or online spaces where monitoring is more difficult.
Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, joined the conference virtually and argued that the side granted immunity for the July Uprising should receive the same treatment, framing the issue as one of reciprocal rights.
The BNP, according to Salahuddin, prefers that any decision about the Awami League’s future be left to the courts rather than an executive ban. He added that “the people would also judge the party over its alleged repression, enforced disappearances and killings during its long rule.”
Despite the heightened tension, mainstream Bangladeshi outlets largely omitted direct coverage of the New Delhi conference, reflecting the government’s directive to limit exposure.
Leave a Reply