Kumar Bahukhandi
Bangladesh former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (AP file image)
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was “outraged” that Hasina, whom it described as an “absconding convicted genocider,” was allowed to address the media from New Delhi
Dhaka: Bangladesh has expressed outrage over deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s live interaction with the media in New Delhi, accusing her of launching “venomous vitriol” against Bangladesh and its people.
In a statement issued on Wednesday August 5, 2026 , Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was “outraged” that Hasina, whom it described as an “absconding convicted genocider,” was allowed to address the media from New Delhi.
The ministry said Dhaka had conveyed its concerns to the Government of India in advance about the possible impact of the event on efforts to reset bilateral relations, but the interaction was still permitted.
It said the event, held on the second anniversary of Bangladesh’s July Revolution, was “an affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh” and an insult to the “martyrs of the July Revolution.”
The ministry accused Hasina of denying facts established by the United Nations regarding the killings of civilians, including children, during the July-August 2024 unrest. It alleged that her remarks were an attempt to rewrite history, which the people of Bangladesh had rejected.
Reaffirming the ideals of the July Revolution, the ministry said Bangladesh would never return to what it called the “dark days of fascism” and insisted that Hasina would have no future role in the country’s politics.
The statement also reiterated Bangladesh’s desire to maintain constructive and mutually beneficial ties with India based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference. However, it expressed regret that India’s response was still pending on Dhaka’s request to extradite Hasina under the 2013 India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty.
The ministry said allowing Hasina to publicly address the media was hurtful to the sentiments of the Bangladeshi people and detrimental to bilateral relations.
Earlier on Wednesday August 5, 2026 Sheikh Hasina announced during a virtual press briefing from New Delhi that she intended to return to Bangladesh in December, saying she was prepared to face arrest, imprisonment or any other consequences. She said she could not remain abroad while her supporters and fellow citizens continued to suffer.
( Source : ANI )
