Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, was removed from power and fled to India. The country’s new temporary leader, Muhammad Yunus, has asked her to stay quiet while she is in India. Yunus, who is also a Nobel Peace Prize winner, said Hasina should not speak until she returns to Bangladesh for a trial.
Hasina, 76, escaped to India on August 5, 2024, after large protests forced her out of office. She had ruled for 15 years but was accused of ordering her government to hurt and kill protesters. These accusations, along with the protests, led to her being removed from power.
Growing Tensions After Her Escape
Since leaving Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina has made public speeches from India, asking her supporters to stay active. This has upset the new government in Bangladesh, which is trying to keep peace. Yunus, 84, said that if India wants to keep her, she should stop giving instructions from there. “Sitting in India, she is speaking and giving instructions. No one likes it. It’s not good for us or for India,” Yunus told the press.
There is increasing pressure to bring Hasina back to Bangladesh for a trial, but Yunus hasn’t confirmed if any formal request has been made to India. The new government is moving slowly to ensure the country remains peaceful without making decisions that could cause more trouble.
Public Demand for Justice
Many people in Bangladesh are demanding that Hasina face justice for the alleged killings of protesters during her rule. After she left, criminal cases were filed against her and top members of her government.
In Dhaka, thousands of people gathered to remember the one-month anniversary of Hasina’s removal and the people who died during the protests. Some of the protesters called for Hasina to be punished, even shouting for her to be hanged. A 24-year-old student, Tahera Akter, said, “We could topple the dictator because we stood together. No one can divide us.”
Yunus and his government know the people want justice, but they are being careful. They are focusing on keeping peace and trying to bring democratic changes. Yunus has promised new elections, but there is no date set yet, leaving the future of Bangladesh unclear.
Muhammad Yunus: Leading in a Difficult Time
Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work helping poor people, now has a tough job. He must lead the country after many years of Hasina’s controversial rule. While he is known for his work in reducing poverty, Yunus now needs to rebuild the country’s political system.
His careful approach to dealing with Hasina’s possible trial shows that he is focused on keeping the country stable and avoiding actions that could cause more violence or problems.
India’s Role in This Crisis
India supported Hasina’s government for many years. Now, with Sheikh Hasina living in exile in India, it is in a difficult position. India must manage its relationship with the new leaders in Bangladesh while deciding what to do with Hasina. So far, India has stayed quiet on the issue, but its future actions will be important.
Hasina tried to gather support from abroad, asking her followers in Bangladesh to mark the anniversary of her father’s assassination. Her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, led Bangladesh to independence. However, this only made things worse, as crowds in Dhaka clashed with suspected supporters of Hasina’s party.
What’s Next for Bangladesh?
Bangladesh is facing an uncertain future. Several important officials from Hasina’s administration have quit their jobs, including Kazi Habibul Awal, the country’s election chief. Awal, who was in charge of the elections that saw Hasina win a fourth term, resigned, saying that the situation in the country has changed too much.
Yunus’s new government has a difficult task ahead. They must restore order, prepare for elections, and decide what to do with Hasina. The big question is whether they will ask India to send her back or allow her to stay there for the time being.
For now, the focus is on rebuilding the country, keeping the peace, and bringing democratic changes to prevent the return of violence and unrest that marked the end of Sheikh Hasina’s time in power.
