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New Delhi: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power last year by a revolution, has said that her chances of returning home depend on the restoration of "participatory democracy". Also, she demanded that the ban on the Awami League should be lifted and that there should be free and fair elections in the country.
Hasina, during an exclusive interview with news agency PTI, said that the government headed by interim chief Muhammad Yunus is jeopardizing bilateral relations with India and "empowering extremist forces" and added that the ties between Dhaka and New Delhi should be able to withstand the "foolhardiness of the Yunus interlude”.
While thanking the Indian government for providing her refuge, she said, “The most important condition for my return to Bangladesh is the same condition that the Bangladeshi people require: a return to participatory democracy. The interim administration must rescind its ban on the Awami League and allow elections that are free, fair, and inclusive."
Hasina, while speaking on the way her government handled the protests last year, said, "Obviously, we lost control of the situation and that was regrettable. There are many lessons to be learned from these terrible incidents, but in my view, some of the responsibility is also on the so-called student leaders (actually seasoned political firebrands) who whipped up the crowds." Also, she dismissed reports saying she had called to boycott the polls scheduled for February next year.
She added, “Tens of millions of people support us. That would be a huge missed opportunity for our country, which badly needs a government ruling with the people’s genuine consent. I hope this foolish ban will be rescinded. Whether in government or in opposition, the Awami League needs to be part of the political conversation in Bangladesh."
Hasina talked about the souring relationship between India and Bangladesh after Yunus took control of the reins and said, “Yunus’ hostility to India is foolish and self-defeating in the extreme and reveals him for the weak monarch he is, unelected, chaotic, and dependent upon the support of extremists. I hope he doesn’t make too many more diplomatic missteps before exiting the stage.”
She added, “The interim government doesn’t represent what our countrymen and women think. India is and will remain our nation’s most important friend.” The former chief of Bangladesh talked about her trial and said, “I have repeatedly challenged Yunus’ government to prosecute me in the International Criminal Court, if it is so confident of its case. Yunus continues to duck this challenge because he knows that the ICC, a genuinely impartial tribunal, would certainly acquit me." She called Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal a "kangaroo tribunal” that is seeking her death penalty.
