Sheikh Hasina warns of rising extremism, anti-Hindu attacks in Bangladesh

In an email interview with Hindustan Times, the exiled leader said India had always been a trusted friend of Bangladesh, but the current instability and poor governance were deeply troubling.

“India has always been a steadfast ally and friend to Bangladesh. But today’s chaos and degraded decision-making are not what India expects from us,” Hasina said.

She accused Yunus of allowing extremists into his administration, claiming that such actions threaten to weaken the foundation of Bangladesh’s relationship with India.

“Yunus’ sponsorship of extremists in his government undoubtedly threatens to undermine that fundamental relationship, to the detriment of both our nations,” she added.

Rising insecurity and intolerance

Hasina also painted a grim picture of the current situation in Bangladesh, saying that under Yunus’ leadership, the country had seen a resurgence of extremism and religious intolerance.

“When I was in power, we worked hard to contain extremist forces,” she said. “Today, the streets of Dhaka are no longer safe, and millions of ordinary Bangladeshis live in fear. We have seen radical Islamist ideology spread, expressed through violence against minorities, attacks on Awami League members, and growing restrictions on women and girls."

The former Prime Minister also addressed concerns raised by India regarding violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, calling it a national disgrace.

“During our time in power, we were proud to uphold secularism and protect all religious groups,” Hasina said. “The wave of religious violence that tore through our country in the early weeks of Yunus’ rule was disgraceful. Equally shameful is his denial of ongoing attacks against Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, indigenous people, and other minorities.”

Democracy under threat

Turning to Bangladesh’s political crisis, Hasina criticised the Yunus government’s decision to ban the Awami League under the anti-terrorism act, describing it as a violation of the Constitution and the democratic rights of the people.

“The Awami League has been chosen by the people nine times,” Hasina said. “Banning the party strips away the political voice of millions of citizens. There can be no hope for democracy when the country’s oldest and most popular party is barred from elections.”

She warned that if the ban remains, Bangladesh risks sliding into political irrelevance.

“Millions of ordinary Bangladeshis will be disenfranchised if this ban is upheld. If they cannot vote for their preferred party, they will not vote at all. Bangladesh will have missed its chance to install a government genuinely ruling by consent. That would be a tragedy,” she said.

Bangladesh is set to hold elections in February, the first since the 2024 crisis that toppled Hasina’s government.

With the Awami League banned, the elections are expected to feature several alliances, including BNP+, Jamaat-e-Islami+, NCP+, the Grand Alliance, and the Left Democratic Alliance.