BNP Questions India Over Hasina’s Media Appearance

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. File photo

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has questioned India’s decision to allow ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to address a press conference in New Delhi while she remains in the country.

Speaking to BBC Bangla, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government wanted an explanation from India over why Hasina was allowed to make public statements through the media.

“India has given her shelter. But while living there, Sheikh Hasina has been carrying out political activities related to Bangladesh. Why did the Indian government allow her to address the media?” Ahmed said.

Hasina, who has been living in India since being removed from power during the July mass uprising, joined a press conference through an audio call on August 5, marking the second anniversary of the fall of her Awami League government.

The event was organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi, where Hasina also responded to questions from journalists.

Ahmed also questioned why India allowed political activities by Hasina, who faces allegations of crimes against humanity in Bangladesh.

He criticised Hasina for not expressing regret or apologising over the deaths during the July movement, alleging that she continues political activities from India against Bangladesh.

During the press conference, Hasina did not directly answer a question on whether she would apologise for the killings during the uprising.

Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who also joined the event virtually, argued that if one side received legal protection over violence, the other side should also receive similar treatment.

Ahmed said investigations into alleged crimes against humanity involving the Awami League are ongoing and that the party’s future would be decided through legal proceedings at the International Crimes Tribunal.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier expressed concern over Hasina’s participation in the New Delhi event and requested India’s cooperation to prevent her from engaging in political activities while staying there.

India, however, said the event was privately organised and that the Indian government had no involvement in it or responsibility for the views expressed during the programme.

Despite India’s position, the press conference proceeded as planned, leading BNP leaders to criticise New Delhi and argue that such an event could not have taken place without approval from Indian authorities.