Sheikh Hasina’s Delhi Press Club Address Draws Objection From Bangladesh Ahead Of Polls

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Bangladesh on Sunday said it was “surprised” and “shocked” over India allowing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to deliver a public address from New Delhi, warning that the move could adversely impact bilateral relations. Sheikh Hasina, 78, has been staying in India since August 2024 after a student-led uprising in Bangladesh brought an end to her 15-year rule. On Friday, she made her first public address since leaving office, delivering an audio speech to a packed press club in the Indian capital.

In a strongly worded statement, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said permitting Hasina to speak publicly in New Delhi amounted to a “clear affront” to the people and government of Bangladesh. “Allowing the event to take place in the Indian capital and letting mass murderer Hasina openly deliver her hate speech sets a dangerous precedent and could seriously impair bilateral relations,” the statement said. Hasina was convicted in absentia by a Dhaka court in November on charges of incitement, issuing orders to kill, and failing to prevent atrocities. She was sentenced to death by hanging.

During her address, Hasina urged Bangladeshis to overthrow the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, accusing it of being incapable of holding free and fair elections ahead of the February 12 polls. She described Yunus as a “corrupt, power-hungry traitor” and alleged that her ouster was part of a “meticulously engineered conspiracy.” Calling on citizens to unite, Hasina invoked the spirit of the Liberation War and appealed for the restoration of the Constitution.