Dhaka Reacts to Former PM's Speech in India
The interim government of Bangladesh has officially expressed its 'surprise and shock' following a public address delivered by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi, India, on Friday, January 23, 2026. The Bangladeshi foreign ministry issued a statement on Sunday, January 25, 2026, asserting that permitting such an event sets a 'dangerous precedent' for future relations between the two nations.
Sheikh Hasina, 78, who sought refuge in India in August 2024 after a student-led uprising led to the end of her 15-year rule, made her first public appearance since her departure via an audio address to a press club in the Indian capital.
Allegations and Calls for Overthrow
During her address, Sheikh Hasina reportedly urged the people of Bangladesh to overthrow the current interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus. She described Yunus as a 'corrupt, power-hungry traitor' and accused him of conspiring to oust her administration. Hasina called for national unity to restore the Constitution, reclaim independence, safeguard sovereignty, and revive democracy in Bangladesh.
The Bangladeshi foreign ministry's statement highlighted that Hasina is considered a 'fugitive convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal' for crimes against humanity. A Dhaka court had sentenced her to be hanged in absentia in November 2025 for incitement, issuing an order to kill, and inaction to prevent atrocities.
Diplomatic Strain and Future Relations
The government in Dhaka conveyed its deep grievance, noting that despite repeated requests for Hasina's extradition under a bilateral agreement, India allowed her to make 'incisive' pronouncements from its soil. This, according to the ministry, 'clearly endangers Bangladesh's democratic transition and peace and security.' The statement further elaborated that allowing 'mass murderer Hasina' to openly deliver what they termed 'hate speech' is contrary to the norms of inter-state relations, including principles of respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and good neighborliness, constituting a 'clear affront to the people and the Government of Bangladesh.'
The incident occurs less than three weeks before Bangladesh is scheduled to hold general elections on February 12, 2026, adding another layer of complexity to the already volatile political landscape.
5 Comments
Africa
This speech is pure destabilization before the elections. Unacceptable.
Bermudez
Hasina is a convicted criminal. She shouldn't be given a platform anywhere.
Habibi
India is doing the right thing by not extraditing her to a kangaroo court.
Coccinella
Yunus is indeed a puppet. Hasina is just revealing the truth.
Muchacha
It's hard to ignore the timing of this speech, just weeks before elections, which clearly adds fuel to an already volatile political fire. However, the allegations against Yunus also deserve scrutiny, regardless of who makes them.