Bangladesh Dhaka Urges India to Keep Hasina Silent
Bangladesh has requested India to prevent former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from making political statements during her stay in New Delhi. Dhaka’s top diplomat, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, emphasized that in the interest of both countries’ bilateral relations, it would be preferable for Hasina to “keep quiet.”
Hasina, who fled to India after stepping down from office on August 5, has continued to make political remarks from exile, including demands for an investigation into the violent protests that led to her downfall. She claims the protests, which resulted in hundreds of deaths, were supported by foreign powers, particularly the United States.
A Former Ally Now in Exile
For 15 years, Sheikh Hasina held power in Bangladesh, maintaining close strategic and economic ties with India. Despite her resignation and exile, Hasina remains politically active, issuing statements to her party supporters and pushing for justice regarding the police crackdown that occurred during the demonstrations.
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Bangladesh’s interim government, now led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has expressed the desire for positive relations with India. However, Hossain pointed out that Hasina’s continued political engagement from Indian soil could be detrimental to those relations. He suggested that it is in everyone’s best interest for Hasina to remain silent.
The Fall of a Long-Standing Leader
Hasina, aged 76, was one of the world’s longest-serving female leaders. She played a crucial role in the development of Bangladesh, overseeing an era of economic growth that lifted millions out of poverty. However, her later years in power were marred by accusations of authoritarianism and widespread public dissatisfaction.
The student-led protests, initially focused on government job quotas, escalated into a nationwide movement. The situation deteriorated further when the security forces responded with violence, leading to mass unrest and civil disobedience. The heavy-handed crackdown ultimately forced Hasina to step down.
Calls for Justice and Accountability
The interim government has agreed to a probe, led by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), into the violence that occurred before Hasina’s resignation. Preliminary reports from the OHCHR suggest that over 600 people were killed in the protests, although the death toll is likely higher.
The violations reported include extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture. As Bangladesh faces international scrutiny, Hasina continues to call for accountability from her place of exile in India. There are also calls for her extradition to Bangladesh to face trial, though no formal request has been made yet.
What Lies Ahead for Bangladesh-India Relations?
While Bangladesh hopes to maintain positive ties with India, the ongoing political tension surrounding Hasina’s exile complicates the situation. The interim government has yet to decide on a course of action regarding Hasina’s possible extradition. For now, Bangladesh’s leadership believes that silencing the former prime minister is essential for stabilizing both internal politics and diplomatic relations with their neighbor.
