Exclusive: Sheikh Hasina exposes how extremists are tearing Bangladesh apart | World News

New Delhi: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in voluntary exile in India since leaving Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following the student-led mass protest against her government, has strongly condemned the claim that Sharif Osman Hadi was glorified and buried next to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. He described the action as a shocking affront to Bangladesh’s democratic and secular values ​​and warned that the celebration of violence by extremist forces directly undermines freedom of expression, threatens minorities and erodes the foundations of the nation.

In an exclusive interview with Jatin Verma related to Zee 24 GantaHe talked about the political crisis in Bangladesh and shared his plans to restore the Constitution, law, order and economic stability. He also discussed the role of Opposition parties, challenges facing the Awami League’s political organization and the need to empower the next generation of leaders. Quotation:

What will be your priority after landing in Bangladesh?

My priority will be the restoration of constitutional government and the rule of law. Bangladesh endured months of lawlessness, mob violence, arbitrary detentions and the systematic dismantling of our democratic institutions. More than 152,000 people are imprisoned on trumped-up political charges and subjected to brutal conditions and torture. They must be released immediately.

Beyond that, we must rebuild what (Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad) Yunus destroyed. Our rapidly growing economy has come to a halt, foreign investments have almost stopped. Employment opportunities for youth, farmers and workers have disappeared. The secular foundations of our republic are being attacked, and religious minorities live in fear every day. There is no rule of law in the country; instead there is mafia terrorism. The extreme forces empowered by Yunus oppress people from all segments of society. These forces, many of whom were affiliated with banned terrorist groups, were granted complete immunity and proudly acknowledged the atrocities they committed.

Bangladesh needs a government with a democratic mandate to heal these wounds, restore trust, and put our country back on the path of progress. The Awami League is ready to serve whether in the government or the Opposition, but we cannot do this while we are banned and persecuted.

Are Tariq Rahman and his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) trustworthy?

BNP and Awami League have a long history as parliamentary rivals. While we were ruling, they opposed us; While they ruled, we opposed them. That’s how democracy works. Healthy Opposition strengthens governance.

However, we must not forget the facts. Rahman spent 17 years in comfortable exile in London after being convicted of abetting the embezzlement of public funds. Leadership requires accountability and presence, not external direction and then sudden reentry when conditions seem right.

What concerns me more is the BNP’s willingness to side with extremist elements when it serves short-term interests. We are already seeing BNP activists intimidating voters on their doorsteps, forcing them to vote under threat of violence and destruction. This is not democracy; This is a compulsion.

If the BNP forms the next government, I urge them to restore proper parliamentary democracy by lifting the ban on the Awami League and allowing us to serve as the legitimate Opposition. A parliament without real Opposition is no parliament at all.

Student activist Osman Hadi (known for his anti-India stance) was declared a martyr and buried next to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. How do you evaluate the side by side of a national poet and an extremist?

Kazi Nazrul Islam represented rebellion against oppression, social harmony and the dignity of the oppressed. The violence following the death of Şerif Osman Hadi is the exact opposite of this. Every death due to this violence is a loss. But the glorification of those who participate in violence and destruction is deeply disturbing.

Sharif Osman Hadi’s death was the result of electoral competition between BNP, Jamaat (Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh) and NCP (National Citizen Party) candidates on the issue of Dhaka-8 constituency. Instead of conducting a credible investigation, authorities allowed mobs to burn down newspaper offices containing journalists and attack diplomatic missions.

What concerns me most is that these gangs seek revenge by attacking one of the pillars of our society: freedom of expression. We have promoted freedom of expression throughout our time in government. Journalists were free to write without fear of intimidation or retaliation. Political dissent was welcomed as a hallmark of a healthy and functioning democracy.

It’s no surprise that an unelected president who came to power by killing people, burning state property, and creating panic across the country would glorify such violence.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the last rites of Khaleda Zia. How do you view India’s relationship with the BNP leadership?

India’s gesture was diplomatic courtesy and respect for the former head of government. Khaleda Zia’s role in political life is undeniable and her contributions to the country were significant. I offer my condolences to his family and those who share his pain.

But India’s core interests have not changed. India wants a reliable partner in Bangladesh that can maintain stability, protect minorities, honor commitments and promote regional cooperation. The current situation, where extremist gangs terrorize religious minorities, threaten journalists and attack diplomatic buildings, does not serve either country.

The ties that bind our countries run deep and are shaped by decades of careful cooperation and mutual respect. I believe that the natural partnership between our countries will one day be re-established.

How will you restructure your party and what will be the role of the new generation in your party wing?

Awami League has never belonged to a single family. It belongs to the tens of millions of Bangladeshis who believe in democracy, freedom and the values ​​of 1971. Our party was born from the struggle for independence and takes root in every village and neighborhood.

This crisis has shown us where renewal is needed. We need leaders who connect with every generation, understand the challenges facing young people in cities and rural villages, and can navigate the digital age while honoring our founding principles. The demand for new voices is justified, and we’re listening.

Our government’s achievements have never been the achievement of a single individual. They belonged to our party workers and the people of Bangladesh who trusted us nine times. That collective power is still there. Millions of Bangladeshis continue to trust us and will vote for us again if we are allowed to participate in the upcoming elections.

However, meaningful restructuring requires democratic conditions to exist. You cannot renew a political party when it is banned, thousands of our supporters are arbitrarily detained, tortured, and membership is considered a crime.

How did you spend your last year? Have you contacted party leaders? Do you think this gives you extra strength?

I watched from afar as everything we had built, including economic development, religious harmony, institutional stability, was systematically dismantled. It was painful to witness the suffering of our people, the persecution of our supporters, the attacks on minorities.

But I also witnessed extraordinary courage. Even though Awami League supporters faced daily harassment, imprisonment and torture, they refused to give up their faith. Despite attacks on their freedom, journalists continue to write the truth about the realities of life in Bangladesh today. Ordinary Bangladeshis dared to speak out despite the risks.

It was very important to stay connected with our party and our people. Awami League is not just a political organization; It represents the spirit of 1971, the dream of a secular, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh. This dream cannot be extinguished by cruelty.

I am patient because I know that regimes based on fear and exclusion do not last. It belongs to the people of Bangladesh and they will get it back eventually.