Exiled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has underscored Indiaโs critical role as a regional stakeholder and long-standing partner of Bangladesh, urging New Delhi to stand firmly for democracy, minority protection and stability.
She accused the Yunus government of deliberately stoking anti-India sentiment to deflect attention from internal failures, warning that the erosion of democratic norms at home is already spilling over into strained bilateral relations.
She blamed the interim dispensation led by Muhammad Yunus for what she describes as a systematic collapse of law, order and secular values in the country. Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18 amid growing concern over repeated attacks on Hindus and other minorities, Hasina said Bangladesh is witnessing the rise of religious extremism, mob mentality and political opportunism, โall enabled by the stateโs failure to act decisively.โ
Here are edited excerpts of the interview:
Q: Who and what kind of mindset is responsible for the repeated attacks on Hindus and the killing of Dipu Das? How can such attacks be stopped?
Sheikh Hasina: These attacks stem from a dangerous mix of religious extremism and mob mentality, both of which the interim government has allowed to grow without restraint. The killing of Dipu Das is a horrific crime that exposes how deeply intolerance and fanaticism have taken root. This is not an isolated incident.
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Since Yunus assumed power, thousands of attacks have targeted religious minorities โ Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and peaceful Ahmadiyya Muslims โ with virtually no accountability. Temples, churches and mosques are being vandalised, cultural expression is being crushed, and women are being steadily pushed out of public life. All of this is justified in the name of a radical ideology that seeks to erase the pluralistic character of what was once a secular and tolerant Bangladesh.
Such violence can only be halted through strong, democratically elected leadership that clearly rejects extremism and guarantees minorities full and equal citizenship under the law.
Q: How do you view the violence in Bangladesh after Hadiโs death and the current tension between India and Bangladesh?
Sheikh Hasina: The murder of Sharif Usman Hadi was deeply tragic, and I unequivocally condemn both the killing and the violence that followed. His death was the result of political conflict rooted in electoral rivalry involving the BNP, Jamaat and NCP.
Any responsible government would have immediately ordered an independent investigation, secured campuses and streets, and ensured no further bloodshed. Instead, we have seen avoidable violence and targeted attacks on independent media and courageous journalists who were exposing uncomfortable truths.
During my tenure, freedom of expression was protected and journalists were able to work without fear. The current tension with India is a direct extension of internal misgovernance. When law and order collapse domestically, foreign relations inevitably suffer. Bangladeshโs stability has always relied on responsible leadership and regional cooperation. Undermining these ties for short-term political advantage is reckless and harmful to our long-term national interest.
Q: Given the current situation, what are your expectations from the Government of India and the Modi government?
Sheikh Hasina: India has always been a trusted friend of Bangladesh, and we deeply value its support. The violence that is becoming normalized today is not only destabilizing Bangladesh internally, but also understandably alarming our neighbours, who are witnessing persecution, chaos and the erosion of shared values.
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I urge India to stand firmly for democratic principles, minority rights, regional peace, and free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh. A stable and democratic Bangladesh serves not only our own people, but also India and the broader South Asian region.
Q: Who was behind the violent protests outside the Indian High Commission, and how do you view Indiaโs stance on the peaceful protests outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi?
Sheikh Hasina: These protests were not spontaneous. They were carefully orchestrated by extremist groups and opportunistic political forces aiming to advance radical Islamist agendas and deliberately isolate Bangladesh from its closest ally.
What is most disturbing is that Yunus has given political patronage to these extremist elements โ placing them in positions of power and shielding them from accountability for crimes committed during the July 2024 violence. By inflaming anti-India sentiment, he is attempting to distract from his governmentโs failures.
Under international law, India is fully justified in demanding the security of its diplomatic missions. Peaceful protest is a democratic right, but violence, intimidation or incitement against a foreign mission crosses a clear red line. Democracy must be expressed through peaceful means and credible elections โ not through mob rule.
Q: Do you personally wish to contest the upcoming Bangladesh elections? If you or the Awami League are not allowed to participate, can such elections be considered legitimate?
Sheikh Hasina: The real issue is not whether I personally contest the elections, but whether citizens are being offered a genuine democratic choice. If the Awami League โ the countryโs largest and most consistently elected party โ is banned or excluded, the elections cannot be described as free or fair, and any government formed through them will lack legitimacy.
The interim government knows that if we are allowed to contest, we will receive overwhelming public support. That is precisely why we have been excluded. An election without the Awami League will disenfranchise millions of citizens, many of whom will simply stay away from voting. This is not democracy โ it is selection by an unelected authority.
Voters must be free to choose without fear, coercion or threats of violence. True legitimacy flows from participation, competition and the consent of the people โ not from exclusion.
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