Hasina Slams Yunus Regime, Says Attacks On Hindus Were Sanctioned

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has launched her strongest criticism yet against the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, accusing it of enabling targeted attacks on religious minorities and dismantling the country’s democratic framework. In her first extensive media interaction since her dramatic ouster last year, Hasina called the current regime “illegitimate, authoritarian, and terrified of facing the people.”

Speaking from India, where she has taken refuge, Hasina described the past year as one of the darkest chapters in Bangladesh’s political history. She recounted in detail the events that forced her to leave Dhaka on August 5, 2024, claiming the situation had spiraled into orchestrated violence long before her exit. She said the unrest that began as a student movement was hijacked by forces aiming to topple her elected government rather than pursue reform.

Hasina argued that the attacks on her official residence at 32 Dhanmondi symbolized a deeper attempt to erase Bangladesh’s secular and democratic foundations. The building, closely tied to the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was vandalized and ransacked by mobs she believes were operating with state support. She called the incident “a barbaric attempt to erase the history and sacrifices that shaped our nation.”

One of Hasina’s gravest allegations concerns widespread violence against Hindus and other minorities. She said thousands had been displaced, their homes, businesses, and places of worship destroyed. According to her, the state not only failed to protect vulnerable communities but actively denied the scale of the violence. She argued that extremist elements within the administration feel emboldened because they have been elevated into positions of power, creating an atmosphere where attacks go unpunished.

Hasina also criticized what she called deliberate delays in announcing national elections. She argued that the Yunus-led government is avoiding polls out of fear of public rejection. The elections scheduled for February, she warned, “will be nothing more than a charade” if the Awami League, one of the country’s largest political parties, remains banned. She said disqualifying the party disenfranchises millions of Bangladeshis and undermines the principles on which the country was built.

Addressing concerns about rising extremist influence, Hasina accused the current regime of aligning with radical factions and releasing individuals linked to militant groups. She warned that such decisions could destabilize not only Bangladesh but also the broader region. For years, she said, her government had worked carefully to counter both domestic and cross-border terror networks—efforts she believes are now being undone.

On speculation about foreign involvement in her removal, Hasina maintained a cautious tone. While acknowledging that Yunus has admirers abroad due to his economic initiatives, she said she had seen no “decisive evidence” that any country engineered her ouster. She added, however, that international support should be guided by a commitment to democratic legitimacy rather than personal loyalties.

Hasina expressed gratitude to India for offering her refuge, calling the relationship one based on mutual respect and shared interests, especially in regional security. She emphasized that Bangladesh’s next chapter must be shaped by its own people and that global partners should support the restoration of genuine democratic governance.

As she closed her remarks, Hasina said the fight for Bangladesh’s democracy is far from over. She expressed confidence that the people of Bangladesh would resist any attempt to undermine their constitutional rights. “A stable and democratic Bangladesh benefits the entire region,” she said, “and I trust that the world will stand with those who stand for freedom, dignity, and the will of the people.”