Sheikh Hasina Breaks Silence: Denies US Role in Ouster, Slams Muhammad Yunus’s ‘Extremist’ Cabinet
The political upheaval that swept former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power in August 2024 remains a focal point of South Asian and global diplomacy. Now living in exile, the veteran leader has spoken out, addressing the sensitive question of whether external powers, particularly the United States, orchestrated her dramatic departure.
Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Hasina firmly dismissed suggestions of direct US involvement in the student-led protests that ultimately ended her 15-year rule. However, she was unsparing in her criticism of the subsequent interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of filling his cabinet with “radical extremists” and actively undermining the nation’s democratic structures.
Dismissing Claims of Foreign Influence
The sudden and tumultuous collapse of Hasina’s administration, following intense nationwide student protests, immediately fueled speculation regarding geopolitical maneuvering. The US, in particular, had previously expressed public concerns over the state of democracy and human rights in Bangladesh under her Awami League government.
Yet, Hasina’s assertion contradicts many popular theories circulating in the wake of her ouster. “I have seen no decisive evidence to suggest that foreign powers had any influence on the events of last summer,” she stated.
Her denial serves as a critical perspective on the events of August 5, 2024, when she was forced to resign and flee the country. While ruling out a foreign conspiracy, she offered a nuanced view on how US political circles previously perceived the current interim chief, Muhammad Yunus.
The Critique of Yunus and Western Liberals
The former Prime Minister focused heavily on the ideological shift she perceives in the new administration, contrasting it sharply with the global admiration Yunus once enjoyed.
Hasina acknowledged that the Nobel laureate, widely credited for his pioneering work in microfinance, was admired by many in American political circles. However, she suggested that this admiration may have been based on a misunderstanding: “many people in American political circles admired Yunus for his economic achievements and erroneously equated these with political prowess,” she observed.
She contended that the new interim government’s actions are quickly eroding that support among international allies who value liberal values. Hasina accused Yunus of failing to uphold democratic and pluralistic principles:
- Extremist Appointments: “Yunus made it clear there would be no place for religious pluralism when he staffed his cabinet with extremists and released convicted criminals linked to Hizb-ut Tahrir,” Hasina claimed.
- Democratic Dismantling: She suggested that the interim regime has begun to “dismantle Bangladesh’s democratic infrastructure.”
- Minority Discrimination: Hasina pointed to the discrimination against minorities that Bangladesh has allegedly witnessed since her removal.
“Now that they have seen him place radical extremists in his cabinet, dismantle Bangladesh’s democratic infrastructure, and discriminate against minorities, I imagine he is no longer so popular amongst Western liberals,” she added.
The interim government has also taken decisive action against her former ruling party, suspending the registration of the Awami League and banning its political activities, citing national security threats.
Exile and Impending Legal Verdict
The interview provides a rare window into the mindset of a leader who was one of the world’s longest-serving female heads of government. During her tenure, Hasina was frequently lauded for transforming Bangladesh’s economy, yet she also faced persistent international accusations of human rights abuses and suppressing political dissent.
Now 78, Hasina remains in exile in India. Her immediate future is clouded by the legal proceedings unfolding in Dhaka. She is currently being tried in absentia on severe charges of crimes against humanity, specifically linked to her alleged role in ordering a deadly crackdown on the student protests that preceded her downfall.
Denying any wrongdoing, Hasina conveyed a desire for a return to stability and democratic norms. “I believe that any country that values democracy will support us in our fight to restore our democratic values,” she concluded, as she awaits the verdict in the case against her.
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