Hasina Breaks Silence After 15 Months
After staying in an undisclosed location in India for over a year, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has finally spoken out. In an exclusive email interview, she confirmed that her party, the Awami League, intends to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Hasina called the decision to ban her party from contesting “deeply undemocratic” and a “violation of Bangladesh’s constitution.” She stressed that millions of voters have the right to choose freely and that denying them that choice weakens democracy.
“The Awami League wants to participate in the election,” she said. “We were banned by an unelected administration that does not respect democratic values.”
Accepts Leadership Responsibility for 2024 Violence
For the first time, Hasina acknowledged “leadership responsibility” for the deaths that occurred during the mass protests between July and August 2024. She expressed sorrow over the loss of lives but denied that she had ordered violence against protesters.
“I mourn each and every life lost,” she said. “As the leader, I take responsibility. But I never directed the security forces to use excessive force. Their actions aimed to prevent greater chaos and save lives.”
She also questioned the UN’s estimate of 1,400 deaths, claiming that the interim government inflated the numbers for propaganda. According to her, many of the dead were security personnel and Awami League members, a fact the UN report ignored.
Defending the 2024 Elections
Addressing criticism from international observers, Hasina insisted that the 2024 general elections were free and fair. She noted that the Awami League came to power multiple times through legitimate votes, never through unconstitutional means.
“Our government introduced reforms like photo-based voter lists, transparent ballot boxes, and an independent Election Commission,” she said. “These reforms made voting more transparent than ever before.”
However, she admitted that Bangladesh’s democracy suffered when opposition parties boycotted elections. “That cycle of boycotts and bans must end,” she said. “Without the Awami League, no government can claim true legitimacy in Bangladesh.”
Corruption Allegations and Dr. Yunus
Responding to the $234-billion corruption allegation made by interim Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Hasina dismissed the claim as “laughable.” She said the amount exceeds Bangladesh’s entire annual budget and described it as a “fabricated political attack.”
“Such a theft is impossible,” she argued. “If $234 billion were stolen, our economy would have collapsed. Instead, our GDP grew by over 450% during my 15 years in office, verified by the IMF and other international bodies.”
Hasina turned the question back on Yunus, accusing him of amassing unexplained wealth. “He started his career earning 6,000 taka a month. How did he accumulate thousands of crores and vast land holdings?” she asked. She added that the media must investigate Yunus rather than “give him a free pass because he has famous friends like the Clintons.”
Calls for Fair Elections and Reconciliation
Hasina urged the interim administration to lift the ban on her party and hold inclusive elections under international supervision. “Bangladesh needs a fair, transparent, and participatory election,” she said. “The people deserve to choose their leaders without fear or bias.”
She emphasized that the Awami League remains deeply connected to Bangladesh’s independence and modern identity. “We are woven into the country’s history,” Hasina said. “Millions still believe in our vision for a stable and prosperous Bangladesh.”
