Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina reacted to the death of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi.
accusing the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus of leading “anarchy” and claiming the violence reflects the breakdown of the regime that has worsened since his ouster.
In an email interview with ANI, Hasina said the killing of the youth leader underscored the growing culture of violence under the interim administration.
Warning that the situation was destabilising Bangladesh internally and straining relations with neighbouring countries, especially India.
“This tragic murder reflects the anarchy that overthrew my government and has multiplied under Yunus.
Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it.
Such incidents not only destabilise Bangladesh internally but also our relationships with our neighbours, who are watching with justified concern.
India is witnessing anarchy, the oppression of minorities, and the erosion of what we have built together.
When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage falls.
This is the reality of Yunus’s Bangladesh,” Hasina said. His comments come after the death of Sharif Usman Hadi.
a prominent youth leader and spokesperson for the political platform Inquilab Mancho, linked to Bangladesh’s 2024 “July Uprising”.
Read this also: Bangladesh: Youth leader Sharif Usman Hadi passes away in Singapore; Succumbed to injuries after attempted murder.
Hadi was shot at close range by unidentified assailants while travelling in a rickshaw in Dhaka’s Bijaynagar area on 12 December.
He suffered serious head injuries and was treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Evercare Hospital as his condition worsened.
He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment and admitted to the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit at Singapore General Hospital.
According to Bangladesh news outlet Daily Star, Inquilab Mancho announced Hadi’s death in a social media post, saying that he had fought for his life for six days.
An ambitious independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency
led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from office.
Hadi emerged as a prominent political figure after last year’s uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from office. Read this also: ‘Bangladesh will not forget your mantra’:
Yunus vows to fulfill anti-India leader Hadi’s dream; what did they say Hasina also expressed grave concern over the killing of a Hindu youth amid the unrest.
an incident she described as a failure of the interim government to protect minorities and maintain basic law and order.
Referring to the murder of 27-year-old Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh district, the former PM held the Yunus-led administration responsible.
A mob allegedly beat Das to death on blasphemy charges, set his body on fire, and sparked outrage across the country.
Hasina stated that such incidents contribute to diplomatic tensions, particularly with India, and accused the interim government of permitting extremists to influence both domestic and foreign policy.
Yunus is solely responsible for the tensions you are witnessing. Yunus’s government consistently makes hostile statements against India, neglects to safeguard religious minorities,
permits extremists to dictate foreign policy, and displays surprise when tensions escalate. India has been Bangladesh’s staunchest friend and partner for decades.
The ties between our nations are deep and fundamental; they will overrule any temporary government,” he said.
Pointing to attacks on diplomatic facilities, media houses, and minority communities, he further claimed that anti-Indian hostility was being deliberately promoted by radical elements emboldened by the current dispensation.
Extremists, emboldened by the Yunus regime, are fuelling this hostility. These are the same actors who marched on the Indian Embassy and attacked our media offices, who attack minorities with impunity, and who forced me and my family to flee for our lives.
A responsible government would protect diplomatic missions and prosecute those who threaten them. Instead, Yunus gives immunity to goons and calls them warriors.”
Hasina alleged. Sheikh Hasina also warned about the growing influence of radical Islamic forces.
claiming that the interim government has released convicted terrorists and allowed extremist-linked groups to enter public life, raising concerns about Bangladesh’s secular foundations.
Hasina said, “I share this concern, as do millions of Bangladeshis who prefer a secure, secular state. Yunus has placed extremists in cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists from prison, and allowed groups linked to international terrorist organisations to have a role in public life.
He is not a politician and has no experience governing a complex nation. My fear is that radicals will use him to make themselves acceptable to the international community.””
They are systematically radicalising our institutions from within.”
Separately, Hasina criticised the interim government’s approach towards Pakistan and contended that significant foreign policy changes were occurring without democratic legitimacy.
He said Bangladesh has long followed a balanced diplomatic principle but accused Yunus of rushing to revive ties after alienating traditional allies.
Bangladesh has consistently upheld the principle of friendship towards all, with no malice towards anyone.”
Indeed, maintaining stable relations with Pakistan makes sense, but it’s not the right time to give in and embrace Yunus.
After unnecessarily alienating many of our old allies, he now seems desperate to find a friend on the world stage,” Hasina said.
He further emphasised that the interim administration lacks the mandate to undertake a strategic restructuring that could have long-term consequences.
“The key point is this: Yunus has no mandate to recalibrate Bangladesh’s foreign policy. He was not elected, so he has no authority to take strategic decisions that could impact generations.
Once Bangladeshis can vote freely again, our foreign policy will return to serving our national interests and not the ideological fantasies of extremists who have temporarily seized power.
Relations between Bangladesh and India are fundamental, and he said, “This will remain in place long after the interim government is gone.”
