Sheikh Hasina and the Battle for Bangladesh's Future

​The political landscape of Bangladesh has always been a whirlwind of passion and power, but the latest developments have reached a boiling point. From her place of exile, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has broken her silence in a way that has sent shockwaves across South Asia. In her first major public address since fleeing the country in August 2024, she didn't hold back. Her words were sharp, and her message was clear: she views the current leadership not as a solution, but as a "murderous fascist" regime that has led the nation into its darkest hour.

​This address comes at a critical time. Bangladesh is gearing up for national elections scheduled for February 12, 2026. However, the atmosphere is far from celebratory. The country is deeply divided, and the rhetoric coming from both sides is more aggressive than ever. Hasina’s speech, delivered via an audio message to a gathering in New Delhi, paints a picture of a nation in agony. She described her homeland as a "blood-soaked landscape" and a "valley of death," claiming that the progress made over the last decade is being systematically dismantled.

​A Scathing Attack on Muhammad Yunus

​At the heart of Hasina's address was a relentless critique of Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate who currently leads the interim government. For years, Yunus has been a globally respected figure, known for his work in microfinance and poverty alleviation. But in the eyes of Sheikh Hasina, he is the "national enemy." She used a string of heavy labels to describe him, calling him a "usurer," a "money launderer," and a "power-hungry traitor."

​Her anger stems from the events of August 2024, when a massive student-led uprising forced her to resign and leave the country. Hasina insists that this was not a spontaneous revolution but a "meticulously engineered conspiracy" involving foreign interests and militant groups. By calling Yunus a "murderous fascist," she is attempting to flip the narrative that was used against her during the protests. She argues that while her government provided stability and growth, the current administration has brought only "terror, lawlessness, and democratic exile."

​The State of the Nation Under Interim Rule

​One of the most striking parts of Hasina's speech was her description of daily life in Bangladesh today. She claimed the entire country has become a "vast prison" where human rights are "trampled into the dust." According to her, the law and order situation has completely collapsed. She spoke of unchecked violence, torture, and the suffering of women and minorities. For many who supported the 2024 movement, these claims are seen as an exaggeration by a leader who lost power. However, for her loyal supporters in the Awami League, her words are a call to action.

​She specifically highlighted the upcoming elections as a "mock exercise." With the Awami League currently banned from participating, she believes any vote held under the current circumstances will lack legitimacy. "Bangladesh will never experience free and fair elections until the shadow of the Yunus clique is lifted," she stated. This puts the interim government in a difficult position, as they struggle to balance the need for a fresh start with the reality that a large portion of the political spectrum feels excluded.

​The Five-Point Plan for "Healing"

​Hasina didn't just criticize; she also laid out a plan. She proposed five crucial steps that she believes are necessary to save Bangladesh from what she calls the "edge of an abyss." The first and most prominent step is the removal of the Yunus administration. She called on the people to rise up, "galvanized by the spirit of the Liberation War," to overthrow what she labels a "puppet regime" serving foreign masters.

​Her plan also includes an impartial investigation—ideally led by the United Nations—into the events of July and August 2024. She wants an end to the "intimidation and jailing" of journalists and political activists. Furthermore, she emphasized the need to protect religious minorities and restore the independence of the judiciary. To her critics, these demands are ironic, as her own administration was often accused of the same tactics she now condemns. Yet, her message is designed to resonate with those who feel the current transition has been too chaotic or biased.

​The Geopolitical Ripple Effects

​The fact that this address was delivered from India is significant. Hasina has been a close ally of New Delhi for years, and her presence there remains a point of tension between India and the new leadership in Dhaka. In her speech, she warned that the current path of the interim government is pushing Bangladesh toward a "multinational conflict." She accused the Yunus administration of plotting to "barter away the territory and resources" of the country to foreign interests, though she did not provide specific evidence for these claims.

​This rhetoric taps into a long-standing fear in Bangladeshi politics about foreign interference. By positioning herself as the defender of national sovereignty, Hasina is trying to regain the moral high ground. She invoked the memory of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of the nation, to remind the public of the sacrifices made for independence. She argued that the secular, democratic vision of the 1971 Liberation War is being destroyed by "extremist communal forces" empowered by the current government.

​Looking Toward the February Elections

​As the February 12 election date approaches, the tension on the streets of Bangladesh is palpable. The interim government maintains that its primary goal is to "cleanse" the political system of corruption and authoritarianism before handing power back to the people. They view Hasina's rhetoric as a desperate attempt to stay relevant while facing serious legal charges at home, including allegations of crimes against humanity during the suppression of the 2024 protests.

​However, the exclusion of the Awami League—the party that dominated the country for fifteen years—creates a massive vacuum. If the elections go forward without them, the resulting government may face persistent questions about its mandate. Hasina is banking on this uncertainty. She urged her supporters to take a "solemn oath" to rebuild a humane state and to resist the "treacherous designs" of those currently in power.

​A Nation at a Crossroads

​Bangladesh is truly at a crossroads. On one side is a Nobel Peace Prize winner leading a transition that many hope will bring a new era of transparency and fairness. On the other side is a former Prime Minister who ruled for decades, now calling for the overthrow of that very transition from her exile. The language being used is no longer just political; it is existential. When leaders start using words like "fascist," "traitor," and "valley of death," the space for compromise disappears.

​The coming weeks will be a test for the people of Bangladesh. Will they see Hasina's address as a warning from a seasoned leader who knows the risks of instability? Or will they see it as the angry words of a leader unwilling to accept that the country has moved on? One thing is certain: the "spirit of the Liberation War" is being invoked by everyone, but everyone seems to have a different idea of what that spirit actually means for the future.