“This darkness will soon pass. A new sun will rise.”

“They wanted bodies to fall, they wanted the government to collapse, but I didn’t want bodies to fall!”

This was Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s statement during her speech in London.

After addressing the United States, Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered a virtual speech at a meeting in Britain on Sunday. The event was organized by supporters of the Awami League in the UK. Sheikh Hasina, who was speaking virtually from India, discussed the current situation in Bangladesh, allegations of oppression against minorities, and more.

She pointed a finger at the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh. Hasina also claimed that she has never killed anyone, and those who are killing now will eventually face justice, according to the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

During the Awami League’s meeting, Hasina claimed that Bangladesh is currently in a state of “anarchy,” with no peace for the citizens. She stated, “There is no way to sleep peacefully at home. Robberies and thefts are happening. At any time, an investigation can occur. Who is giving the order for these investigations?” She also mentioned that the people of Bangladesh now lack the right to seek “justice.”

Throughout her speech, Hasina repeatedly pointed to the interim government, claiming that elected representatives have been removed from office. She added, “They stood with the people, but now, when floods and storms have passed, no one has stood by the people. If elected representatives were in power, they would have been there for the people.” Since August, there have been allegations of harassment and persecution of Awami League leaders and workers in Bangladesh. Hasina stated that the harassment of government employees must stop, and they must be freed from “false charges” and reinstated.

There have been allegations of police brutality, killings, and destruction of government property during public protests in Bangladesh. The interim government has pardoned those accused of such actions, which Hasina criticized, saying,

“Since July 15, those who committed crimes have been pardoned. This proves that Yunus, the mastermind, has shown that they are criminals. All the murders and arson should be investigated, and these false cases should be withdrawn. Yunus’ government has no right to absolve them of their guilt.”

Hasina further claimed that during the public protests, she did not use force, and if she had, many lives would have been lost. “If I had used force, there would have been bodies falling. I didn’t want anyone to die. The police used rubber bullets,” she said. She then turned her criticism toward Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, calling him a “mastermind, murderer, fascist, and dictator.” She added, “They wanted bodies to fall, so the government would collapse. It was Yunus and his gang who were responsible for the killing of Abu Saeed.”

Hasina continued, “They (the interim government) say they will try me. What trial? What wrong have I done? No one was killed by my hand. I didn’t come to take people’s lives.” She also emphasized that she did not have the opportunity to transfer power as a representative. “A public representative can transfer power to another representative. But I never got that opportunity,” she said.

She claimed, “The fundamental rights of the people of Bangladesh have been taken away. The homes of minorities have been looted, and temples and churches have been destroyed.” However, she expressed hope that “this darkness will soon pass, and a new sun will rise.”

Hasina also pointed to the economic situation in Bangladesh, accusing Yunus’ government of corruption. “Millions of taka were siphoned off from the stock market. Where did it go? Banks are failing. Why are they destroying the economy?”