New Delhi, India | December 23, 2025
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has issued a strong critique of the country’s interim government, accusing it of politically motivated governance, weakening democratic institutions, and misusing legal processes to target opposition leaders.
In a detailed email interview with ANI, Hasina spoke on the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) verdict, the current political situation in Bangladesh, upcoming elections, and the state of India–Bangladesh relations.
⚖️ ‘ICT Verdict Is Political Revenge, Not Justice’
Sheikh Hasina strongly rejected the ICT ruling against her, calling it a tool of political hostility rather than justice.
She said she was denied the right to defend herself, was not allowed legal counsel of her choice, and alleged that the tribunal was being weaponized against the Awami League.
“This verdict has nothing to do with justice. It is purely an act of political vendetta,” Hasina said.
Despite her criticism, she stated that her faith in Bangladesh’s institutions remains intact, expressing confidence that constitutional norms and judicial independence will eventually be restored once a legitimate government is reinstated.
🚨 Raises Questions Over Usman Hadi’s Killing
The former prime minister also reacted to the killing of Usman Hadi, calling it a tragic reflection of Bangladesh’s deteriorating law and order situation.
Hasina said the violence that led to her government’s fall has intensified under the Yunus-led administration, while authorities either deny the scale of unrest or fail to control it.
She warned that such instability not only weakens Bangladesh internally but also damages relations with neighboring countries, including India.
“India is watching this chaos, the persecution of minorities, and the dismantling of everything we built together,” she said.
Hasina added that a state unable to maintain basic order within its borders loses credibility on the international stage.
🔫 Background: Usman Hadi Murder
Bangladesh has witnessed renewed unrest following the death of Usman Hadi, a 32-year-old spokesperson of the radical Inkilab Manch and a vocal critic of Sheikh Hasina.
Hadi was shot by masked gunmen on December 12 during an election campaign in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He later succumbed to his injuries on December 18 while undergoing treatment in Singapore.
🗳️ ‘Elections Without Awami League Are Not Democratic’
On upcoming elections, Sheikh Hasina issued a blunt warning, stating that any election held without the Awami League would lack legitimacy.
She accused interim leader Muhammad Yunus of ruling without a single public vote and attempting to ban a party that has been elected nine times by the people of Bangladesh.
“Without the Awami League, elections will not be elections—they will be coronations,” she said.
Hasina noted that historically, when voters are unable to support their preferred party, they choose not to vote at all, which could disenfranchise millions if the ban continues.
She stressed that any government formed under such conditions would lack moral authority, calling it a missed opportunity for national reconciliation at a critical time.
🇧🇩 ‘My Life Is Tied to Bangladesh’s Security’
Concluding her remarks, Sheikh Hasina said her past, present, and future are inseparable from Bangladesh’s security and stability. She expressed hope that the nation would elect a leader who carries a legitimate mandate to govern.
