Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has launched a scathing attack on the country’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, labeling him a “fascist” and describing his government as an “undemocratic group” that allegedly supports extremist and communal forces opposed to the spirit of Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
In a statement provided on the eve of Bangladesh’s ‘Bijoy Dibosh’ or Victory Day, marking Pakistan’s defeat in the 1971 Liberation War, Hasina accused Yunus’s government for seeking to quash all pro-liberation forces. “This undemocratic group led by the fascist Yunus has no duty towards the people,” Hasina said, adding, “Their activities are barriers to welfare programs for people.”.
Hasina then launched a stronger attack on Yunus, pointing out that some 50 million people depend on the social security system, “which has reportedly stopped providing most of the allowances.” Family cards, she mentioned, have also been withdrawn for 4.3 million families, under the TCB, which means these poor, unfortunate citizens can no more receive items of daily subsistence. “The country’s people are distressed owing to high commodity prices, starved people are looking around for scraps,” she noted.
She said that the undemocratic interim government is accountable for nothing before the people. “Their only strategy is to kill the spirit of the Liberation War and throttle the voice of pro-liberation forces.” Hasina accused Yunus and his administration of covertly supporting anti-independence radical groups, claiming their insensitivity to the Liberation War and its history has become clear in their acts.
Besides, Hasina accused the government led by Yunus of emulating “the rituals of the responsible group” from Pakistan aiming at erasing progressive ideals and the tradition of the Liberation War. “If they could, they would rewrite the history and wipe off the signature of that glorious episode from national life,” she said.
Following massive anti-government protests, Hasina fled to India in August. She reiterated accusations against Yunus’s government of committing “genocide” and failing to protect minorities, including Hindus.
In response, Yunus reportedly expressed apprehensions about Hasina’s stay in India during his meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, citing that her utterances did not go down well with the Bangladeshi masses. Yunus and other leaders from the caretaker dispensation have also sought Hasina’s extradition from India.
December 16 is ‘Bijoy Dibosh’ in Bangladesh, marking a day of national celebration for the surrender of Pakistani forces in 1971 to establish Bangladesh as an independent nation.
