The World Opinion

Tag: sheikh hasina

  • Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina’s Coalition Party Office Set On Fire After Clashes — VIDEO | world news

    Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s coalition, Jatiya Party, central office in Dhaka, has been set on fire following clashes on Thursday night. According to witnesses, the office was partially damaged.

    The Jatiya Party was founded by the late President Hussain Muhammad Ershad. It was a part of the Bangladesh Awami League-led Grand Alliance and participated in the previous three general elections despite major party BNP boycotts. The people protesting against Sheikh Hasina were left fuming in anger after the Jatiya Party announced that it would hold a rally in Dhaka on Saturday.

    #WATCH | Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s coalition, Jatiya Party’s central office in Dhaka vandalised and set on fire. pic.twitter.com/nUWQtYkclm — ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024

    Clashes erupted when protesters carrying the Chhatra Sramik Janata banner marched with a torch procession in front of the Jatiya Party’s central office in the Kakrail area, the heart of the capital Dhaka.

    The fire service went to the spot and extinguished the fire. When a large number of protesters went in front of the Jatiya Party left the office. Protesters vandalized Jatiya Party offices, pulled down signboards, and smeared ink on party founder Ershad’s picture on the wall, the witnesses said.

    Police and Army were deployed in front of the Jatiya Party office. “We were passing in front of the Jatiya Party office with a torch procession. At that time, terrorists of the Jatiya Party threw bricks at our procession from the roof of the Jatiya Party office,” said Shakiluzzaman, a leader of Gono Audhikar Parishad, a political party that actively participated in the movement against Sheikh Hasina.

    “Jatiya Party terrorists themselves set fire to their office and escaped. Jatiya Party acted as a proxy of the fascist Awami League in the 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections,” Shakiluzzaman said. “We, the students, workers, and citizens, have declared that we will not allow Jatiya Party to hold any rally,” he further stated. The Jatiya Party did not make any immediate statements, but they are likely to express their reaction officially later on Friday.

    Two months ago, a student-led movement ousted Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Hasi Sheikhna, after weeks of protests and clashes that killed over 600. Hasina, 76, fled to India on August 5, and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed.

    (With ANI Inputs)

  • ‘Who Will Process Your Visa, Bro?’: One Kilometer Long Line At Indian Visa Center In Bangladesh; Video Goes Viral | world news

    A video capturing an extensive queue stretching over a kilometer at an Indian visa center in Bangladesh has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread attention. The footage, shared by a social media user, shows the seemingly endless line outside Asia’s largest mall, Jamuna Future Park, where one of the few remaining Indian visa centers is located.

    The user captioned the video, “1 Kilometer Long Line Outside Indian Visa Center At Asia’s Largest Mall Jamuna. The line started inside, involved many corridors, then came outside, and went to the main road. It kept going, going, and going. Who will process your visa, and the embassy is running with limited capacity.

    1 Kilometers Long Line Outside Indian Visa Center At Asia’s Largest Mall Jamuna.

    The Line Started Inside, Involved Many Corridors, Then Came Out side, Went To Main Road, It Kept Going, Going And Going

    Who will process your visa bro?

    Majority Of Staff Went Back To India, The… pic.twitter.com/PkXAcbCoOC — Bengali Boys (@iSoumikSaheb) August 26, 2024

    This situation arose after India shut down most of its visa centers in Bangladesh following a wave of violent protests that culminated in the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The protests, initially sparked by political and economic discontent, escalated into widespread unrest, leading to Hasina’s government being overthrown.

    In the wake of the unrest, Bangladesh has seen continued incidents of violence, including targeted attacks on the Hindu minority community. The closure of Indian visa centers has added to the chaos, leaving thousands of Bangladeshi citizens struggling to secure travel permits. The Indian Visa Center was closed on August 5th, leaving many passports already in process. Today, the High Commission announced that passports currently at the visa center will be delivered soon while no new application is being taken.

    Many Bangladeshi people have been waiting at the Indian border or trying to sneak inside the Indian territory following the violence. India has deployed a strong line of patrol by the Border Security Force to deter the entry of illegal immigrants.

  • Sheikh Hasina, Her Aides Slapped With 4 New Murder Cases; Ex-B’desh PM Faces 53 Cases | world news

    At least four more murder cases have been filed against Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her former cabinet ministers and aides, media reports said on Sunday. A murder case was filed on Sunday against 76-year-old Hasina, former director general of Border Guard of Bangladesh Gen Aziz Ahmed and 11 others over the death of Abdur Rahim, an official of the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in 2010, state -run BSS news agency reported.

    Rahim, then deputy assistant director (DAD) of former BDR, was an accused in the case lodged over the carnage that took place in Pilkhana in 2010. He died in jail custody on July 29 of the same year. Rahim’s son Advocate Abdul Aziz filed the case with the court of the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Akteruzzaman.

    Another murder case was filed on Sunday against Hasina and 48 others for killing a student of the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on July 18, the agency said.

    Victim Shaikh Ashabul Yeamin’s uncle Abdullah-Al Kabir filed a plea to Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Saiful Islam’s court Sunday, appealing to lodge a murder case against the 49 accused, it added.

    Accepting the petition, the court ordered police to record the statement of the plaintiff and register the complaint as a first information report (FIR).

    Awami League general secretary and former road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, among others, have been made accused in the case.

    A separate case was filed against Hasina and 27 others over the killing of a seller of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) products in the capital during the recent protests.

    Mamunur Rashid, the brother-in-law of victim Md Eusuf Sanowar, filed the complaint with Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saddam Hossain. The court asked the officer in charge of Jatrabari Police Station to accept the matter as a first information report (FIR).

    The other prominent accused in the case are – Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader and former ministers Anisul Huq and Tajul Islam. Another case was filed against 25 people, including Hasina, over the killing of an auto-rickshaw driver in the capital during the recent protests.

    Hasina, the Awami League chairperson, now faces at least 53 cases, including 44 for murders, seven for crimes against humanity and genocide, one for abduction and one for an attack on a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) procession.

    Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 after unprecedented anti-government student-led protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs. The Hasina-led government was replaced by an interim government, and 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was named its Chief Advisor.

    Over 230 people were killed in Bangladesh in the incidents of violence that erupted across the country following the fall of the Hasina government, taking the death toll to more than 600 since the massive protest by students against a controversial quota system in government jobs first started in mid-July

  • Bangladesh: New Murder Case Filed Against Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina, 62 Others Over Fish Trader’s Death | world news

    A new murder case has been registered against Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 62 others, including members of her previous cabinet, in connection with the death of a fish trader amid the quota reform protests in the country, according to a media report on Monday. .

    The case was lodged late Sunday, marking the latest in a series of legal actions against the 76-year-old leader following her resignation and subsequent flight to India on August 5, after extensive student demonstrations against the government job quota system.

    Shahnaz Begum, the widow of Md Milon who was fatally shot on July 21 while returning from a local fish market, filed the case, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune newspaper.

    The list of accused includes Hasina, former road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, ex-lawmaker Shamim Osman, and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, among others.

    The report details that leaders and activists of the Awami League, led by Hasina, and its allied groups, armed with firearms and sticks, obstructed traffic on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway to interfere with the student protests. The allegations state that Hasina, Quader, and Asaduzzaman orchestrated the shooting and assault on the demonstrators and the general public.

    Milon, who was en route home from the fish market at the time, suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and collapsed on the road. He was rushed to Pro-Active Medical College and Hospital nearby, where he was pronounced dead, the report added.

    This incident increases the tally of cases against Hasina since her removal to over a dozen.

    Following the overthrow of the government led by Hasina’s Awami League, over 230 people have died in the ensuing violence across the nation, pushing the death toll beyond 600 since the onset of the substantial student protests in mid-July.

    Subsequent to the collapse of Hasina’s administration, an interim government was established, with 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus appointed as the Chief Advisor.

  • ‘That’s Laughable’: State Dept On Allegations Of US Govt’s Involvement In Sheikh Hasina’s Resignation | world news

    The United States Department of State strongly rejected the allegations of the government’s involvement in former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, terming them ‘laughable’ and ‘absolutely false’ claims. “That’s laughable. Any implication that the United States was involved in Sheikh Hasina’s resignation is absolutely false,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State, Vedant Patel, said in a press briefing on Tuesday (local time).

    Patel further said that a lot of disinformation has been seen in recent weeks regarding the current happenings in Bangladesh.

    “We have seen a lot of disinformation in recent weeks and we were made incredibly committed to strengthening information and integrity across the regional ecosystem, especially our partners in South Asia,” he said.

    Recently, in an interview with ANI, Michael Kugelman, a US -based Foreign Policy expert, and Director of the South Asia Institute at The Wilson Center, refuted allegations of foreign interference behind the mass uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, stating he had Not seen any ‘plausible evidence’ to support these claims.

    He noted that the Hasina government’s harsh crackdown on protesters escalated the movement. “My view has been very simple. I see this as a crisis that was driven by purely internal factors, by students who were unhappy about a particular issue, job quotas that they didn’t like and they were worried about the government. Sheikh Hasina’s The government cracked down very hard on the students and that then turned the movement into something much bigger,” Kugelman said.

    Kugelman dismissed allegations from Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who claimed foreign interference behind the protests, saying that the unrest was driven by “internal factors.”

    “Now, you know, when there is a conspiracy theory that is rooted in issues of foreign influence, one cannot disprove such type of allegation. Also, at the same time, one cannot conclusively prove it. I think the onus, is the responsibility to provide a plausible explanation for how it can be true. I am yet to hear that from Sheikh Hasina’s son, from anyone,” he added.

    Bangladesh has been witnessing a fluid political situation ever since protests started across the country, leading to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation from the post of Prime Minister on August 5. The protests, led mainly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, evolved into anti-government demonstrations.

    A large number of people protested outside the White House in Washington on Friday last week against alleged violence targeting minority Hindus and others in Bangladesh since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.

    Protesters carried American and Bangladeshi flags and held posters demanding that Bangladeshi minorities be “saved.” They chanted slogans of “We want justice” and called for peace amid the recent surge in violence.

  • Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Stresses Need For ‘Balance With Big Powers’ | world news

    Md Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government, emphasized the importance of balancing relations with major global powers, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune. On Friday, Hossain highlighted the necessity for Bangladesh to maintain friendly ties with all nations. “We aim to keep good relations with everyone. It’s crucial to balance our relations with the big powers,” he was quoted by the Dhaka Tribune. Additionally, Hossain stated that restoring law and order is the interim government’s primary focus, with other issues to be addressed subsequently.

    In a related development, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed hope that Bangladesh’s new interim government would lead the nation towards a democratic future. Miller confirmed ongoing communications with the interim government, including the attendance of the US charge d’affaires at Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus’s swearing-in as the chief advisor. “Our charge d’affaires was present at the swearing-in. While I cannot confirm if she conversed with him, she did attend, signifying communication with the interim government,” Miller stated during a press briefing. He reiterated the US’s desire for the interim government to guide Bangladesh towards democracy.

    Professor Yunus’s immediate challenges include restoring peace and preparing for upcoming elections. He was recently cleared by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in a bribery case concerning the misappropriation of funds from the Grameen Telecom Workers and Employees Welfare Fund, following an earlier acquittal in a labor law violation case.

  • BNP’s Message For India On Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina: ‘If You Help Our Enemy…’ | India News

    The swearing-in ceremony of the Bangladesh interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has taken place. Notably, no representatives from Sheikh Hasina’s party, the Awami League, were present. As Bangladesh gears up for a major change, concerns have been raised in India about the future of the neighboring country and the ties the two nations share. According to experts, with the exit of Sheikh Hasina, there can be a distinct shift in the relations between the two countries, with many claiming that it might not be positive. As seen in Sri Lanka and Nepal, Bangladesh might prioritize China and the West more.

    ‘People Of India And Bangladesh Don’t Have Issues With Each Other, But…’

    While Sheikh Hasina has often been described as a “good friend of India,” the country’s relationship with BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) – the chief rival to Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League – has been less than friendly. Political analysts point at anti-India activities that grew significantly during BNP’s rule. And now Gayeshwar Roy, a senior leader of Khaleda Zia’s party, has been in conversation with The Times Of India and has clearly expressed his concerns about India’s support of Sheikh Hasina.

    While agreeing that India and Bangladesh’s relationship should be based on cooperation, BNP’s Gayeshwar Roy told the Times Of India, “if you help our enemy then it becomes difficult for that mutual cooperation to be honoured.” Roy further added, “Sheikh Hasina’s liability is being borne by India… Indian and Bangladesh people don’t have issues with each other. But should India promote one party and not the entire country?”

    Also Read: Taslima Nasreen: Sheikh Hasina Threw Me Out Of Bangladesh To Please Islamists; Today They Forced Her Out

    Bangladesh’s New Interim Government: List Of Members

    Meanwhile, the members of Bangladesh’s newly-formed interim government include:

    – Muhammad Yunus: Chief Advisor – Salehuddin Ahmed: Economist and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank – Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain: Former Election Commissioner – Md Nazrul Islam (Asif Nazrul): Academic and legal expert – Adilur Rahman Khan: Human rights activist – AF Hassan Ariff: Legal expert and former Attorney General – Md Touhid Hossain: Diplomat and former Foreign Secretary – Syeda Rizwana Hasan: Environmental lawyer and activist – Supradip Chakma: Advocate for Indigenous rights – Farida Akhter: Women’s rights activist – Bidhan Ranjan Roy : Educator – Sharmeen Murshid: Civil society leader – AFM Khalid Hossain: Cultural activist – Farooq-e-Azam: Business leader – Nurjahan Begum: Advocate for gender equality – Nahid Islam: Social worker – Asif Mahmud: Youth leader


  • As Sheikh Hasina Finds Refuge In India, Ex-Envoy To Bangladesh Sees Centre Taking It ‘Very Favourably’ |

    Sheikh Hasina, described as a “good friend of India,” may receive favorable consideration from the central government if she chooses to stay, according to a former high commissioner of India to Bangladesh quoted by PTI on Tuesday. Hasina arrived at the Hindon airbase near Delhi on Monday, intending to travel to London, just hours after resigning as Bangladesh’s prime minister amid weeks of anti-government protests that resulted in nearly 300 deaths.

    Hasina’s travel plans to London have encountered obstacles due to some “uncertainties,” and it is unlikely she will leave India in the next few days, as stated by sources on Tuesday. Veena Sikri, the former envoy, mentioned that India has consistently assisted the people of Bangladesh with various challenges.

    Reflecting on historical ties, Sikri recalled the solidarity between Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League, and the forces of Liberation with India since 1971. The Awami League and India, along with the Muktijodha, fought together for Bangladesh’s liberation.

    Sikri said the deep empathy, friendship, respect, and understanding between the Awami League and India, as well as between the peoples of both nations, noting that India has always been supportive. With Sheikh Hasina now in India after being compelled to leave her country, Sikri expressed confidence that the Indian government would likely view her wish to stay in India very favorably.

    Sikri also noted that Hasina had previously resided in India following the assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a hero of Bangladesh’s independence who later became prime minister. Rahman was assassinated in August 1975.

    In conversation with PTI, Sikri said that Hasina had spent many years in India before returning to Bangladesh to lead the Awami League, leaving open the question of her continued stay in India. “Currently, Sheikh Hasina has been compelled to leave her country and is now in India. If she desires to stay, I am confident our government will look upon it very favorably,” added Sikri.

    The seasoned diplomat mentioned that Hasina had previously stayed in India following the assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a hero of Bangladesh’s independence, who later became the country’s prime minister. Rahman was assassinated in August 1975.

    Speaking to PTI, Sikri said, “She spent a considerable time in India, many years, before returning to Bangladesh to lead the Awami League. The decision whether she should stay or not should be deferred, allowing her to make the choice and the situation to develop.”

    The former ambassador also noted, “Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been a close ally of India, working intimately with its people across various states, including West Bengal, Assam, and Meghalaya. I see no issue with that.”

    “It’s her decision whether to stay. There are reports she may wish to move to London to be with her sister, who resides there. Perhaps they are waiting for clearance from the UK government. The situation is highly volatile and complex,” she stated.

    “In my opinion, if she continues her stay in India, it wouldn’t pose a significant problem,” she concluded. Hasina, aged 76, resigned as the prime minister of Bangladesh and departed amidst mass protests against her administration. She then arrived in India en route to London, as diplomatic sources reported on Monday.

    When questioned about the potential impact of Hasina’s stay in India on future relations with the new government, Sikri mentioned that while the views of other political parties like the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) or Jamaat-i-Islami Bangladesh on India are well-known, dialogue remains open.

  • Bangladesh Unrest: National Elections To Be Held After Three Months, Muhammad Yunus To Head Interim Government | world news

    Days after Sheikh Hasina resigned as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami are set to form an interim government which will work on the aid and advice of the social entrepreneur, banker, economist and civil society leader Muhammad Yunus. The former MD of the Grameen Bank has reportedly agreed to head the interim government. Muhammad Yunus will serve as the chief advisor of the interim government, according to a press release from Bangabhaban yesterday. The decision followed a meeting on the formation of the interim government between key organizers of the anti-discriminatory movement and President Mohammed Shahabuddin. The heads of the three armed forces also attended the meeting.

    Meanwhile, it has been decided that the national elections will be held in Bangladesh after three months, once the situation returns to normal in the protest-hit nation. It’s not clear whether Hasina’s Awami League will participate in the polls or get banned by the interim government. Since Hasina is likely to retire, it will be important to see who will head the Awami League after her.

    Meanwhile, the BNP will be holding a show of strength rally today in which former PM and party chief Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman, who is also the vice chairman of the BNP, will take part in the rally.

    Since the Hasina government banned the Jamaat-e-Islami in 2013, the Islamic party is likely to see its status restored and may participate in the upcoming general elections. The Jamaat-e-Islami, founded in 1975, is one of the largest Islamist parties in the country. It has previously formed alliances with the BNP.

    Meanwhile, the unrest continues in Bangladesh with radical Islamic protesters not only attacking the Hindu minorities but also destroying the government properties. Those affected by violence are gathering near the India-Bangladesh border to enter Indian territory. The Border Security Force is on high alert and has been ordered to let people in only after thorough verification of the documents.

    Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Sheikh Hasina, on August 5, tendering her resignation from her post in the wake of mounting protests. The protests, led mostly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests.

  • India Finally Breaks Silence On Bangladesh Crisis, Hasina’s Sudden Arrival; Every Word From Jaishankar’s Parliament Address |

    India is closely monitoring the situation of minorities in Bangladesh and maintains “close and continuous” contact with the Indian community there via its diplomatic missions, the government announced on Tuesday. In statements made in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed India’s deep concern for the restoration of law and order in the neighboring country and mentioned that India’s border forces have been instructed to stay exceptionally vigilant due to the complex and evolving situation.

    Here’s what Jaishankar Said On Bangladesh Crisis, Hasina’s Sudden Arrival:

    Jaishankar addressed the MPs regarding the sudden request by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India “for the moment.” Hasina arrived in India on Monday evening aboard a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft, likely en route to London or another European destination, following her resignation as prime minister amid the country descending into uncertainty after violent protests over job quotas.

    “On August 5, despite a curfew, demonstrators gathered in Dhaka. It is understood that following a meeting with security establishment leaders, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina decided to resign. She then requested, at very short notice, to come to India temporarily,” Jaishankar explained. “The request for flight clearance from Bangladesh authorities was received concurrently. She arrived in Delhi last evening. The situation in Bangladesh continues to develop,” he added.

    Jaishankar also noted that on August 5, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman addressed the nation, discussing the assumption of responsibility and the formation of an interim government.

    “The Indian community in Bangladesh, estimated at 19,000, of which approximately 9,000 are students, is being closely monitored through our diplomatic missions. However, the majority of these students returned to India in July,” the external affairs minister informed.

    In terms of India’s diplomatic presence, in addition to the High Commission in Dhaka, it has assistant high commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet, he informed both the Houses. “It is our expectation that the host government will provide the required security protection for these establishments. We look forward to their normal functioning once the situation stabilizes,” Jaishankar said.

    Jaishankar Says India Monitoring Minorities’ Situation In Bangladesh

    He said India is also monitoring the situation with regard to the status of minorities. There are reports of initiatives by various groups and organisations to ensure their protection and well-being, he said. “We welcome that, but will naturally remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored. Our border guarding forces have also been instructed to be exceptionally alert in view of this complex situation,” Jaishankar said.

    Over the past day, India has maintained regular communication with Dhaka authorities. The External Affairs Minister sought the House’s understanding and support on sensitive matters concerning a key neighbor, emphasizing the longstanding national consensus on this issue.

    Minister Jaishankar highlighted the enduring closeness of India-Bangladesh relations, spanning many governments and decades. He expressed shared concerns over the recent unrest and instability in Bangladesh, cutting across political lines.

    He detailed the tensions, divisions, and polarization in Bangladesh’s politics post the January 2024 elections, which fueled student protests beginning in June. The escalating violence, targeting public infrastructure and disrupting transport, persisted into July.

    The minister reported ongoing efforts to promote restraint and resolve the situation through dialogue, engaging with various political entities.

    Despite a Supreme Court ruling on July 21 to modify the government job quota system, public dissent continued. The minister noted that subsequent decisions further inflamed the situation, culminating in demands for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.

    On August 4, the situation escalated dramatically with intensified attacks on police and state infrastructure, leading to heightened violence nationwide. He raised particular concern over the targeting of properties linked to the ruling regime and the worrying impact on minorities.