Sheikh Hasina breaks silence: 'My father's legacy disgraced, I seek Justice from nation', says Bangladesh's former PM
Bangladesh crisis: In her first public statement since fleeing Dhaka, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly condemned the recent surge of violence in her country and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. It comes in the wake of widespread unrest and desecration of a statue of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh.
The statement, shared by her son Sajeeb Wazed on X (formerly known as Twitter), is a poignant reflection on the personal losses Hasina has endured, particularly the tragic events of August 15, 1975. On that fateful night, Mujibur Rahman, along with his sons, their wives, his brother’s family, and close associates, were brutally killed during a military coup. The assassination marked a dark chapter in Bangladesh’s history and left an indelible mark on Sheikh Hasina's life.
Since July, Sheikh Hasina pointed out, "Bangladesh has witnessed a series of violent acts, including arson, sabotage, and outright brutality, all carried out under the guise of various political movements. These incidents have claimed the lives of countless innocent people, including students, teachers, police officers—some of whom were pregnant—journalists, social workers, and ordinary citizens. Among the casualties were also leaders and workers of the Awami League, the political party founded by her father and which she now leads".
"Those of us who live with the pain of losing loved ones understand the depths of such grief," said Hasina. "I extend my deepest sympathies to the families affected by this violence. I demand a thorough investigation to identify and bring to justice those responsible for these heinous crimes and acts of sabotage."
One particularly distressing act of violence targeted a museum that had once been Hasina’s childhood home. This site, rich with the history of Bangladesh’s fight for independence, has been a symbol of national pride and has welcomed prominent figures from around the world.
“It is with unspeakable sorrow that I must inform you that today, all of that has been reduced to ashes,” Hasina said, her voice filled with emotion. “The very memory that was our lifeline has been burned to the ground. This is a profound insult to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under whose leadership we achieved our self-respect, our identity, and our independent nation. It is a grave dishonour to the blood of millions of martyrs. I seek justice from the people of this nation.”
Hasina also called for August 15 to be observed as a ‘National Mourning Day,’ urging citizens to honour and pray for the martyrs at ‘Bangabandhu Bhavan,’ the house that has now been tragically vandalised.
Sheikh Hasina’s personal tragedies
Sheikh Hasina’s journey to power is deeply intertwined with her personal tragedies. At just 28 years old, following her father’s assassination, she was forced into exile, living abroad from 1975 until the late 1980s. During this period, she rose through the ranks of the Awami League, eventually leading the party to victory in the 1996 national elections and becoming the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Despite her political achievements, Hasina’s leadership has faced significant challenges. A wave of student protests, demanding changes to government job quotas favouring the families of freedom fighters, escalated to the point where the army intervened, ultimately forcing Hasina to resign under a 45-minute ultimatum.
Currently residing in India, Hasina’s future plans remain uncertain. However, her son has indicated that the 76-year-old leader intends to return to Bangladesh once the upcoming elections are scheduled.
- With inputs from agencies
