The message was aired during an interactive session organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia, where panellists discussed recent developments in Bangladesh. Addressing the gathering from exile in New Delhi, Hasina said Bangladesh is “bleeding and standing on the edge of an abyss,” alleging a collapse of democratic institutions and public safety following her removal from office in August 2024.
Hasina accused the interim administration of failing to protect citizens, particularly religious and ethnic minorities. She claimed mob violence, looting and extremist activities have spread across the country, while state institutions and the justice system have weakened. According to her, fear and insecurity now dominate everyday life, and national interests have been compromised.
Calling for unity, Hasina urged political forces and citizens to defend the Constitution, restore democracy and safeguard Bangladesh’s sovereignty. She described the interim leadership as an “unelected and violent regime” and appealed for resistance against what she termed an erosion of democratic norms.
In a direct personal attack, Hasina held Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the interim government, responsible for her ouster. She alleged that Yunus orchestrated a “carefully engineered conspiracy” with what she called “anti-state militant accomplices” to remove a democratically elected government. Using strong language, she accused him of corruption, abuse of power and betrayal of national interests.
Hasina said that since August 5, 2024, Bangladesh has entered an “age of terror,” asserting that democracy itself is now “in exile.” She linked the current turmoil to what she described as extremist and communal forces working with foreign elements to destabilise the country.
In a separate audio message released earlier on the Awami League’s official social media platforms, Hasina also criticised the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a key contender in the upcoming general elections. She said the BNP had repeatedly chosen to boycott elections rather than participate, including in 2014 and 2024, despite being invited to contest. She maintained that her party’s 2024 victory was legitimate and free of proven irregularities.
Bangladesh is scheduled to hold national elections on February 12, 2026, the first since the student-led uprising that led to Hasina’s departure. Her Awami League has since been barred from contesting the polls. From exile, Hasina reiterated her call for a renewed struggle to restore democratic governance amid mounting political uncertainty.
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