DHAKA: Bangladesh’s ousted premier Sheikh Hasina has stirred controversy with a series of recent interviews and a column that display no remorse over the deadly crackdown that led to her downfall in 2024. Published by several Indian and international outlets, the interviews portray a defiant former leader still dismissing allegations of state-led violence and electoral manipulation.
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In her pieces for The Hindustan Times, New Indian Express, The Hindu, and The Week, Hasina blamed the interim government for lacking legitimacy and criticised opposition parties for exploiting political turmoil. She described the 2024 unrest as a “febrile situation” that resulted in “mistakes” by individual security personnel — but denied ever ordering lethal force against protesters. “At no point did I authorise security forces to fire on crowds,” she told The Hindustan Times, rejecting audio evidence and UN estimates of 1,400 deaths as “doctored” and “inflated.”
However, The Daily Star’s own investigation previously reported a leaked phone call from July 18, 2024, in which Hasina allegedly instructed the use of “lethal weapons” against demonstrators. The 78-year-old ex-premier, now in exile in India since August 5, expressed gratitude to New Delhi for offering refuge and reaffirmed the Awami League’s longstanding ties with India.
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Observers note that while Hasina’s interviews with international media appeared measured, those published in Indian outlets carried sharper tones, seeking to discredit the Yunus-led interim government. Analysts say the timing of these publications suggests an attempt to influence Bangladesh’s upcoming election and rehabilitate the Awami League’s image despite ongoing bans on its activities.