Dhaka, Bangladesh: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Awami League president Sheikh Hasina addressed her supporters on the second anniversary of her ouster from power.
During her address, Hasina said, “This is not the Bangladesh for which 3 million people sacrificed their lives.”
Referring to the 1971 Liberation War, she became emotional while speaking about the country’s current situation.
Sheikh Hasina Says She Remains Connected to Bangladesh
Hasina said she had spent her life serving the people of Bangladesh.
She also spoke about being forced to leave the country.
She said that despite living away from Bangladesh, she had never felt separated from its people.
Hasina added that she was not concerned about her own future. Instead, she said her main concern was the future of Bangladesh.
According to Hasina, people in Bangladesh want security, development, prosperity, and peace.
Hasina Calls 2024 Protests an Organized Movement
Hasina also spoke about the protests that took place in Bangladesh in July and August 2024.
She argued that the protests were not simply a peaceful student movement.
According to Hasina, her government initially attempted to address the demands through dialogue, legal procedures, and patience.
She alleged that organized groups later attempted to turn the student movement into a political campaign.
Her comments reflect her account of the events and remain part of a politically contested narrative surrounding the 2024 protests.
Hasina Raises Questions About Bangladesh’s Future
Hasina said she had watched Bangladesh experience difficult times during the two years since her ouster.
She argued that the country had moved away from the vision for which people fought during the 1971 Liberation War.
She also called for greater attention to democratic institutions, individual rights, and political stability.
Sheikh Hasina’s Key Demands
Hasina and the Bangladesh Awami League raised several demands during the address.
These included:
- Lifting the ban on the Awami League
- Releasing political prisoners
- Withdrawing what the party describes as false cases
- Restoring freedom of speech
- Protecting press freedom
- Ensuring judicial independence
- Preventing the political misuse of law enforcement agencies
The party said these measures are necessary to strengthen democratic institutions and protect citizens’ rights.
Naufel Calls for Justice
Before Hasina’s address, several Awami League leaders living outside Bangladesh also criticized the country’s interim administration.
Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, who served as a minister in Hasina’s government, called for justice rather than revenge.
He also urged people not to support religious extremism.
“We Do Not Want Bangladesh to Become a Failed State”
Naufel said the Awami League did not want revenge.
Instead, he said the party wanted justice.
He also warned against developments that could push Bangladesh toward instability.
According to Naufel, the goal should be to ensure that Bangladesh does not become a failed state.
Political Debate Continues in Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina’s latest address comes amid continuing political tensions in Bangladesh.
Her supporters continue to raise questions about the country’s political future, while opponents have their own accounts of the events surrounding her removal from power.
The political situation remains closely watched as Bangladesh continues to debate democracy, governance, human rights, and the future role of political parties.
Conclusion
On the second anniversary of her ouster, Sheikh Hasina used her address to criticize the current situation in Bangladesh and highlight what she described as threats to democracy and stability.
She called for the restoration of political rights, press freedom, and judicial independence.
Meanwhile, Awami League leaders including Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel called for justice and warned against religious extremism and political instability.
The statements are likely to remain part of the continuing political debate over Bangladesh’s future.
