Ousted Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina launched a fiery tirade against her successor on Friday — calling for citizens to overthrow the “foreign-serving puppet regime” led by Muhammad Yunus. She also termed the Nobel Laureate a “national enemy” and reiterated calls for the United Nations to conduct a “truly impartial investigation” into the events of the past year.
“In this grave hour, the entire nation must rise united, galvanised by the spirit of our great Liberation War. To overthrow the foreign-serving puppet regime of this national enemy at any cost, the brave sons and daughters of Bangladesh must defend and restore the Constitution, reclaim our independence, safeguard our sovereignty, and revive our democracy,” she said.
The pre-recorded audio clip was played during an event in New Delhi on Friday — soon after campaigning began for the February 12 parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. The Awami League party has been barred from contesting the polls. Incidentally this was Hasina’s first address to a gathering in India since she fled to the country amid violent protests in August 2024.
‘Democracy is now in exile’ – Sheikh Hasina
The Awami League leader claimed that a “frenzy of militant extremists” had cast a pall of fear across Bangladesh. She also lashed out at Yunus in no uncertain terms — accusing him of ‘bleeding the nation dry’.
“On August 5, 2024, in a meticulously engineered conspiracy, the national enemy, the murderous fascist Yunus, and his anti-state militant accomplices forcibly ousted me, though I am the people’s representative directly elected. From that day forward, the nation has been plunged into an age of terror, merciless, relentless, and suffocating. Democracy is now in exile,” she alleged.
‘Plot to barter Bangladeshi territory to foreign interests’
Hasina claimed that human rights had been “trampled into the dust” over the past year — with “mob terror, mass looting, armed robbery, and extortion” reigning supreme across Bangladesh. She also flagged “chaos” at educational institutions, and alleged that freedom of the press had been “extinguished”.
“Violence, torture, and sexual assault against women and girls remain unchecked. Life and property have no security. Religious minorities face continuous persecution. Law and order have collapsed…Even more dangerously, there is a treacherous plot to barter away the territory and resources of Bangladesh to foreign interests. By betraying the nation, the murderous fascist Yunus is pushing our beloved motherland toward the furnace of a multinational conflict,” she added.