Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has broken her silence following her ouster, issuing her first public statement since fleeing the country on August 5. In a message shared through her son Sajeeb Wazed on social media platform X, Hasina called for a thorough investigation into the killings and vandalism that occurred during the July protests.’I demand that those involved in these killings and vandalism be properly investigated and the culprits be identified and punished accordingly,’ Hasina stated. She expressed condolences to the families of victims, including students, teachers, police officers, and civilians who lost their lives in what she termed ‘terrorist attacks’.The former Prime Minister also condemned the destruction of the museum dedicated to her father, Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, calling it a ‘gross insult’ to the nation. She urged the people of Bangladesh to observe the National Mourning Day on August 15 with dignity and solemnity, commemorating the 1975 assassination of her father and family members.However, Hasina’s call for justice comes as she herself faces legal scrutiny. A Bangladeshi court has ordered an investigation into her alleged role in the death of a grocery shop owner during the July protests. The case, filed by lawyer Amir Hamza, also implicates six other high-ranking officials from her former government, including ex-Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Awami League Secretary-General Obaidul Quader.The protests, which began over a controversial quota system for government jobs, resulted in the deaths of over 300 people and saw attacks on businesses and homes. The violence led to Hasina’s resignation and departure from Bangladesh, paving the way for a transitional government.As Bangladesh grapples with this political upheaval, the international community watches closely. The country’s future remains uncertain, with the possibility of elections looming and questions about the role of the military still unanswered.
Key points
- Sheikh Hasina has issued her first statement since being ousted, calling for an investigation into the July protest violence.
- A Bangladeshi court has ordered a probe into Hasina’s alleged role in a protester’s death during the July unrest.
- Hasina urged citizens to observe National Mourning Day on August 15, commemorating her father’s 1975 assassination.
- The political situation in Bangladesh remains tense, with over 300 deaths reported during the protests.
Contradictions👾While Hasina calls for an investigation into the killings during protests, she herself is facing a murder probe for her alleged role in a protester’s death.
👾Hasina refers to the protest-related deaths as results of ‘terrorist attacks’, while other sources describe them as outcomes of government crackdown on protesters.
