Bangladesh has urged India to prevent Sheikh Hasina from making false and incendiary statements while in India. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh handed over a protest note to India’s acting high commissioner, expressing deep concern and disappointment over Hasina’s remarks.
After fleeing to India last year amidst violent protests, Hasina delivered an online address accusing the interim government in Bangladesh of seizing power unconstitutionally. She called on her supporters to rise against the government.
During her speech, thousands of protesters gathered in Dhaka and attacked the residence of Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father and the founder of Bangladesh. The violence continued after her speech, with protesters setting fire to the house and causing widespread destruction.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested India to take immediate action to stop Hasina from making such statements while she remains in India. Although India did not comment on the communication from Bangladesh, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the destruction of Rahman’s home as an “act of vandalism” and stressed its importance to Bangladesh’s national identity.
Mujibur Rahman had declared Bangladesh’s independence from this very house in 1971. Tragically, he and most of his family were assassinated there in 1975. Hasina had turned the house into a museum dedicated to her father’s legacy.
The interim government of Bangladesh stated that the attack on Rahman’s residence was a reaction to Hasina’s “violent behavior” and urged India not to allow its territory to be used for destabilizing Bangladesh.
Since Hasina fled to India in August, Bangladesh has been dealing with intense political unrest, with ongoing protests and violence challenging the interim government’s control.
