Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina claimed that the country faced a “dangerous phase” after the political turmoil in July-August 2024. She alleged that the elected Awami League government was ousted through a carefully planned movement led by former interim government chief advisor Muhammad Yunus during the quota reform protests. Hasina accused various parties, including violent extremists, of being involved in the 2024 protests, aiming to destabilize the government through violence and chaos.
Hasina criticized the involvement of extremist leaders in the protests, stating that their goal was to incite violence and create unrest to overthrow the government. She specifically named interim government chief Yunus, current Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman, and the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami for orchestrating what she described as a meticulously designed operation rather than a spontaneous student protest. The former PM highlighted the destruction caused by the protests, including the burning of police stations, attacks on prisons, and the release of convicted militants.
Referring to the widespread violence against minorities in Bangladesh, Hasina condemned the attacks on religious institutions and socio-cultural centers. She expressed concern over the breakdown of law and order in the country since August 2024, citing instances of judicial officials being targeted and forced to resign under duress. Hasina also raised issues of economic devastation, increased poverty, and a lack of security for the citizens, emphasizing the grim situation faced by the people in Bangladesh.
