Sheikh Hasina's virtual media address, adviser to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, on Thursday condemned former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's virtual media address, for the first time since her ouster in 2024, from India, alleging that New Delhi's decision to allow the speech would adversely affect bilateral ties between the two countries.
Alal said the BNP strongly opposed the permission granted to Hasina to deliver her address from India and linked the issue to Bangladesh's political developments following August 5, 2024, the day she was ousted after a student-led uprising.
“We condemn it seriously, and we condemn the permission which was given to Sheikh Hasina by the Indian government, and which is very harmful and very bad for Bangladesh-India relationships. 5th August is a great victory for Bangladeshi democracy, Bangladeshi people's participatory government, and Bangladesh people's freedom and free mass media rehabilitation day,” he said.
Alal further called for legal action against Hasina and other Awami League leaders currently in India and urged New Delhi to return them to Bangladesh. “Convicted Sheikh Hasina and convicted others who are in India should also be returned to Bangladesh. They should be handed over to the Bangladesh government,” he said.
Last year in December, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) delivered its verdict, sentencing Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case related to crimes against humanity during the 2024 July-August unrest. Following the ruling, Dhaka urged India to hand over both convicted individuals without delay.
Alal also criticised remarks made by Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed, ahead of Hasina's address, who said that Bangladesh had become “another Pakistan” on India's eastern front, labelling them as “offensive and anti-state”. “Even the son of Sheikh Hasina said that the Eastern wing of India has now become Pakistan, which he means Bangladesh. This is a very much offensive and anti-state activity," Alal added.
‘Why by December? She should come right away’
Questioning Hasina's decision to return to Bangladesh in December, he said she should come back immediately if she is confident of facing the country’s legal and political system. Alal asked why she was waiting for three more months and said the country's people, judiciary and administration should decide her future.
“Why by December? If she is determined, she should come now. Now is only August. September, October, November... why delay for three months more? She should come now. Then, the Bangladeshi people and Bangladeshi system will face her. Bangladeshi system and Bangladeshi judiciary, Bangladesh administration and Bangladeshi people's opinion will decide whether she will be welcomed or whether she will go to jail,” Alal said.
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