February 7, Dhaka: Diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India have intensified following a recent incident involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On Thursday, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry summoned India’s acting High Commissioner, Pawan Badhe, to formally protest against what was described as Hasina’s “fabricated and provocative” statements made in a recent online address.
Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after a student-led uprising in August 2024 that ended her 15-year tenure, delivered a speech via Facebook Live. In her address, she accused Muhammad Yunus, the current Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, of seizing power unconstitutionally. She alleged that Yunus’s ascent to power was marked by violence, referencing the recent attack on her father’s residence. This residence, once a revered memorial dedicated to Bangladesh’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was torched and demolished by protesters.
In its protest note to Badhe, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry expressed “deep concern, disappointment, and serious reservations” regarding Hasina’s statements. The ministry emphasized that such “hostile” remarks harm healthy bilateral relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner to convey its concerns over statements from Bangladeshi authorities that portrayed India negatively. The MEA clarified that the comments attributed to Sheikh Hasina were made in her capacity and that India had no role in them.
The recent attack on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence has further strained the situation. Thousands of protesters set fire to the home of Bangladesh’s founding leader, coinciding with Hasina’s online call to action against the interim government. The protesters, primarily from the group “Students Against Discrimination,” have been vocal in their opposition to the current administration and have called for significant political reforms.
These developments underscore the escalating political unrest in Bangladesh since Hasina’s departure. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has been grappling with challenges related to economic stability, human rights concerns, and ongoing political dissent. The situation remains fluid, with both domestic and international stakeholders closely monitoring the evolving dynamics.
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