Sheikh Hasina Defiant Before Verdict, Calls Charges False and Political

A day before a historic court ruling that could determine the course of Bangladesh’s political future, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina released a striking and emotional audio message from Delhi, declaring that she had no fear of the upcoming verdict and firmly rejecting all allegations of crimes against humanity. Speaking to her supporters in Bengali, the 78-year-old leader said, “Let them issue a verdict. I don’t care. Allah gave me life, Allah will take it,” setting the tone for yet another tense chapter in Bangladesh’s unfolding political drama.

Hasina, one of India’s closest allies in the region for over a decade, fled to Delhi last year after violent nationwide protests toppled her government. What began as a student-led movement escalated into countrywide unrest, eventually forcing her to resign and escape hours before demonstrators reached the capital. Soon after, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge and accused her of grave human rights violations. The tribunal hearing the case summoned her to Dhaka, but she declined to appear, claiming the charges were politically motivated and designed to eliminate her party from the country’s political landscape.

In her message, Hasina accused the interim administration of attempting to destroy the Awami League, a party she said had its roots among ordinary people. “The interim government wants to finish off the Awami League. But Awami League did not come from the pocket of any usurper of power. It rose from the grassroots,” she said. Her voice conveyed both frustration and determination as she addressed her supporters, thanking them for responding to the political pressures with what she called “unshaken loyalty and courage.”

Hasina insisted that the people of Bangladesh would ultimately deliver justice, not the tribunal she described as biased. She lashed out at Yunus, calling him “corrupt, militant, and a murderer,” adding that people would soon prove how the country could “turn around” under genuine leadership. Her message portrayed her as a victim of political conspiracy, one being persecuted despite decades of public service and sacrifice.

The former prime minister strongly rejected the allegations of human rights violations under her rule. She reminded her critics that Bangladesh had sheltered more than a million Rohingya refugees during her government. “I gave refuge to 10 lakh Rohingya and they accuse me of violating human rights?” she said, questioning the moral ground of the interim authorities.

Hasina launched a fresh attack on the current administration, accusing it of repeatedly violating the constitution by removing elected representatives through force. She condemned the decision to grant amnesty to individuals accused of murdering police officers, journalists, lawyers, and Awami League workers. “What kind of humanity is this?” she asked, adding that the amnesty had robbed many families of the justice they deserved.

Even after losing power, Hasina said her commitment to Bangladesh remained unbroken. She vowed to return to politics and claimed she was confident of regaining public trust. “I am alive, I will stay alive, I will work for the welfare of people again. Everything will be accounted for, and I believe I will give it back, inshallah,” she said. Her message aimed to reassure her party workers, who she acknowledged were suffering under the new administration. She promised them that the political tide would eventually turn.

Expressing deep pain over the vandalism at Gonobhaban, the official residence of the prime minister, she said the incident reflected a collapse of law and order. “Gonobhaban is not my property. It is government property. They are calling it a revolution, but hooligans and terrorists cannot bring a revolution,” she said, rejecting the idea that her ouster represented the will of the people.

Hasina also claimed that Bangladesh’s economy was deteriorating under the interim government. She said unemployment was rising, industries were closing down, and banks were being looted, blaming these conditions on what she described as an inexperienced and unstable administration. She urged her supporters to stay strong, promising that Bangladesh would one day be freed from its current turmoil.

As the country awaits the tribunal’s verdict, both supporters and critics acknowledge that the outcome could change Bangladesh’s political landscape for years to come. The judgment carries implications not only for Hasina’s future but also for the legitimacy of the interim government, the stability of the Awami League, and the sensitive geopolitical balance in the region.

In her final words, Hasina called for strength, patience, and unity. “Everyone, please stay well. Jai Bangla, Jai Bangla, Bangladesh,” she said, ending her message with the battle cry that has defined her decades-long political journey.