Hasina Slams Yunus Govt Over Violence, Warns of Strained Ties With India
Hasina alleged that the “lawlessness” which led to the fall of her government has intensified under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus
As an uneasy calm prevails over Dhaka after days of violent protests last week, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticised the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government over the unrest following the killing of Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman Hadi, warning that violence destabilises relations with neighbouring countries.
In an email interview with ANI, Hasina alleged that the “lawlessness” which led to the fall of her government has intensified under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. She also raised concerns over the persecution of minorities, stating that India is closely watching the situation.
“This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government and has multiplied under Yunus. Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it,” Hasina said. She added that such incidents weaken Bangladesh internally and damage ties with neighbours, particularly India.
Sharif Osman Hadi, a young activist and a prominent figure associated with last year’s July uprising, was shot at close range on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He sustained a bullet injury to the head and was later airlifted to Singapore for treatment, where he died on December 18.
Following Hadi’s death, protests erupted in Dhaka, with activists gathering at the Shahbagh intersection demanding justice for the slain leader.
Hasina also flagged the growing influence of radical Islamist forces in Bangladesh, alleging that the Yunus-led interim government released convicted terrorists and may lift the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami.
“I share this concern, as do millions of Bangladeshis who prefer the safe, secular state we once were. Yunus has placed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists from prison, and allowed groups linked to international terrorist organisations to take roles in public life,” she told ANI.
She warned that radicals were using Yunus to present an acceptable image internationally while gradually radicalising state institutions, a development she said should alarm India and other countries invested in South Asian stability.
Hasina also expressed concern over strained India-Bangladesh relations amid anti-India protests and the killing of 27-year-old Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das. She blamed the interim government for failing to protect religious minorities and issuing hostile statements against New Delhi.
“The strain you are witnessing is entirely of Yunus’s making. His government fails to protect minorities and allows extremists to dictate foreign policy,” Hasina said, adding that ties with India would improve once legitimate governance is restored.
Dipu Chandra Das was allegedly beaten to death by a mob over blasphemy accusations on December 18, after which his body was set on fire. The incident triggered widespread outrage, leading to the arrest of 10 accused.
After the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chittagong suspended visa operations following a security incident, Hasina said India’s concerns were justified, accusing the interim government of granting impunity to violent elements.
Bangladesh continues to witness unrest, with protests, vandalism, and media offices being torched, as the country heads towards elections scheduled for next year.
