Hostility towards India created by extremists: Former PM Sheikh Hasina blames Yunus-led government

Staff Correspondent

December 23, 2025 As unrest continues in Bangladesh following renewed violence last week, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sharply criticized the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. She alleged that the current leadership is empowering extremist elements, stoking anti-India sentiment and weakening democratic structures, which endangers both domestic stability and regional security.

In an email interview to ANI, Hasina alleged that the recent tensions were deliberately created, citing growing hostility towards India and concerns over the safety of Indian diplomats. “This hostility is being created by extremists who were emboldened by the Yunus regime,”

Referring to the attacks targeting Indian and domestic institutions, he added, “These are the same parties who marched on the Indian embassy and attacked our media offices, who mercilessly attacked minorities, and who are indiscriminately killing ordinary Awami League leaders and workers and forcing me and my family to flee for their lives.”

She also alleged that “Yunus has put such people in positions of power and released convicted terrorists from prison.” Hasina said New Delhi’s concerns about the safety of her diplomatic staff were justified. “A responsible government would protect diplomatic missions and prosecute those who threaten them. Instead, Yunus has given impunity to those who create anarchy and violence and called them warriors,” she said.

The International Criminal Tribunal’s verdict

Regarding the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) verdict, Hasina has dismissed it as politically motivated. She said, “This verdict has nothing to do with justice and is aimed at eliminating political opponents.” Alleging procedural injustice, she added, “I have been denied the right to defend myself, and my preferred lawyers have not been given the opportunity to conduct the case.” She said the tribunal has been used to launch a “witch hunt” against the Awami League.

Despite these allegations, Hasina said she believes in the constitutional basis of Bangladesh. She said

“But I have not lost faith in Bangladesh’s institutions. Our constitutional heritage is strong, and when legitimate rule is restored and our judiciary regains its independence, justice will be served,”

Elections and Awami League ban issue

Questioning the credibility of the February elections and adding the issue of banning the Awami League, he said, “An election without the Awami League is not an election, but rather a coronation.”

He claimed that, “Yunus is ruling without getting a single vote from the Bangladeshi people, and now he wants to ban the party that has been elected nine times by popular mandate.”

Warning of a large-scale voter boycott, Hasina said, “Historically, when Bangladeshis cannot vote for the party of their choice, they do not vote at all. So if this ban on the Awami League is maintained, millions of people will be effectively disenfranchised,” adding that any administration formed under such conditions “will lack the moral authority to govern.”

Reiterating her long-standing political stance, Hasina said, “My past, present and future have always been dedicated to the safety and security of Bangladesh, and I want my country to elect a leader who will have the authority to govern.”

Return context

Responding to calls for his extradition following the ICT verdict, Hasina said the demands were politically motivated. “These mounting demands that you are referring to are only coming from an increasingly frustrated and misguided Yunus administration,” she said, again referring to the proceedings as “politically motivated kangaroo tribunals.”

He acknowledged India’s continued support, saying he was “sincerely grateful for the solidarity shown in upholding India’s continued hospitality,” and noted that this approach was “supported by all political parties in India.”

Explaining her departure from Bangladesh, Hasina said,

“I left Bangladesh to prevent further bloodshed, not out of fear of facing justice.”

Rejecting current calls for a return, he added, “You cannot demand my return to face my political assassination.” He reiterated his legal challenge against the interim leadership, saying, “I am confident that an independent court will acquit me.”

“When Bangladesh has a legitimate government and an independent judiciary, I will happily return to the country I have served all my life,” he said.

India-Bangladesh relations issue

Regarding the strain on India-Bangladesh relations, including the summoning of the Indian envoy in Dhaka and the riots at the High Commission, Sheikh Hasina has blamed the interim administration. “The strain you are seeing is entirely Yunus’ creation,” she accused it of adopting a hostile stance towards India, not protecting minorities, and allowing extremists to influence and sanction policy-making.

Highlighting the bilateral relationship, Hasina said, “India has been Bangladesh’s most steadfast friend and partner for decades,” adding that the relationship is “deep and fundamental and this relationship is more durable than any temporary government.”

Violence and Hadi’s death

Referring to the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, Hasina said the incident highlighted the breakdown of the prevailing law and order. “This sad killing is a reflection of the lawlessness that has uprooted my government and this lawlessness has increased under Yunus,”

“Violence has now become a daily occurrence in Bangladesh while the interim government denies it or is unable to stop it,” he added.

She said the continued instability undermines Bangladesh’s international standing. “When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses,” Hasina said.

On the rise of Islamic extremism

Regarding the growing role of Islamic extremist forces, Hasina said, “I want to convey that millions of Bangladeshis prefer the safe, secular state that we once had.”

He alleged that Yunus “appointed extremists to cabinet positions, released convicted terrorists from prison, and allowed groups affiliated with international terrorist organizations to play a role in public life.”

“This should be a wake-up call not just for India but for every country invested in South Asian stability,” he said, adding that “the secular character of Bangladeshi politics has been one of our greatest strengths.”

Regarding student leader‘s threats against India

Responding to comments by some Bangladeshi leaders referring to the Siliguri Corridor or “Chicken’s Neck,” Hasina called such statements “dangerous and irresponsible.” “No serious leader would threaten a neighbor on whom Bangladesh depends for trade, transit and regional stability,” she said.

He stressed that such opinions do not reflect public opinion, saying, “These voices do not represent the Bangladeshi people,” and expressed confidence that “once democracy is restored and responsible governance returns, such irresponsible talk will end.”

Referring to signs of renewed closeness between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Hasina said Bangladesh has traditionally followed the policy of “friendship with all, hostility with none,” but criticized the actions of the interim leadership. “Yunus has no mandate to redefine Bangladesh’s foreign policy,” she said, adding that he “has no right to take strategic decisions that could affect generations to come.”

Reiterating her broad stance, Hasina said, “Once Bangladeshis can vote freely again, our foreign policy will return to serving our national interests,” while emphasizing that “India-Bangladesh relations are fundamental and strong, which will survive long after this interim government leaves.”