Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has shared an emotional voice message recounting how she narrowly escaped death during her escape from the country last year.
The message, shared by her Awami League party, was delivered in a trembling voice, with Hasina expressing gratitude to Allah for her survival and accusing her political adversaries of attempting to have her killed.
In the audio clip, Hasina, who has been in Delhi since August 5 last year, recounts the terrifying moments when she and her sister, Rehana, managed to flee Bangladesh just minutes before a mob stormed her residence. "We escaped death by just 20-25 minutes," she says, her voice shaking.
The former premier reflected on the harrowing experiences of her life, notably the infamous grenade attack on August 21, 2004, which left her injured and claimed the lives of 24 others.
She also mentioned an attempted bomb attack in Kotalipara in July 2000, where bombs were found at a college she was scheduled to visit.
Hasina described the relentless attempts on her life, but she maintained that she survived these dangerous encounters due to what she believes is the will of Allah.
"Surviving on August 5, 2024, there must be a will of Allah," she said, referencing the dramatic events of her escape. Hasina expressed deep sorrow and anguish as she spoke of the suffering she has endured. "I am suffering, I am without my country, my home, everything has been burned," she added, breaking down emotionally.
While Hasina remains a wanted figure in Bangladesh due to corruption charges, she is adamant that the world has witnessed the conspiracy orchestrated by her political rivals to eliminate her. She expressed her belief that she survived because Allah has a greater purpose for her.
The former premier’s message has drawn attention not only due to the emotional recounting of her near-death experiences but also because it sheds light on the political turmoil in Bangladesh.
Following a violent student protest, Hasina resigned and fled the country, marking the beginning of a turbulent period in the nation.
Soon after her departure, a mob stormed her residence, ransacking her home and stealing valuables. Meanwhile, political instability escalated, with clashes between Hasina’s allies and attacks on the Hindu minority, further complicating the already tense relations between India and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has requested Hasina’s extradition, a matter that has been acknowledged by India’s foreign ministry, though they have not offered further comments.
The interim government, now led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has come to power with the backing of the armed forces, following the political crisis.
In her message, Hasina reflects on the hardships she has endured, both personally and politically, while also maintaining a sense of hope that her survival has a greater purpose.
Her words paint a picture of a leader in exile, deeply affected by the loss of her country, but resolute in her belief that she is destined for something more.
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