- Thursday, March 13, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Sheikh Hasina is poised to return as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, according to Dr. Rabbi Alam, Vice President of the United States (USA) Awami League. In a statement to ANI, Alam expressed confidence in Hasina’s political revival while strongly criticizing the current government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Alam also extended his gratitude to India, acknowledging the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government in providing a safe passage for Awami League leaders fleeing Bangladesh due to ongoing political unrest. “Many of our leaders are sheltered in India, and we are grateful to the Indian government for their support. I also thank PM Narendra Modi for ensuring the safe travel of Sheikh Hasina. The people of India have been incredibly supportive,” he said.
Amid rising tensions, Alam labeled the situation in Bangladesh as a “terrorist uprising” rather than a political movement. “Bangladesh is under attack, and this needs to be addressed by the international community. A political uprising is acceptable, but this is not what’s happening. This is terrorism,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina’s political troubles deepened as a Dhaka court ordered the seizure of her family’s assets, including her residence in Dhanmondi, ‘Sudhasadan.’ The directive also froze properties linked to her son, Sajib Wazed Joy, daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, and sister, Sheikh Rehana. Additionally, the court froze 124 bank accounts associated with her family. The decision was taken by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Ghalib after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) submitted an application.
In response, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a formal protest with India, condemning what it called “false and fabricated” statements made by Hasina. A protest note was submitted to the Acting High Commissioner of India in Dhaka, urging the Indian government to take action to prevent Hasina from making further “incendiary statements” on social media and other platforms.
The crisis in Bangladesh escalated following a student-led movement that resulted in Hasina’s ouster on August 5. The protests, which turned violent, led to weeks of clashes, leaving over 600 people dead. As tensions reached their peak, Hasina fled to India while an interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, was established.
Further legal troubles emerged for Hasina in January when Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued an arrest warrant against her and ten others. Among the accused are former Defence Adviser Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and ex-Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed. The allegations against them include extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
Despite these legal and political challenges, Hasina’s supporters remain hopeful about her return to power. Alam insisted that the younger generation in Bangladesh had been manipulated into believing in a false political narrative. “The youth made a mistake, but it’s not their fault; they were misled,” he stated.
As the political crisis in Bangladesh continues to unfold, Hasina’s return to the country remains uncertain. However, her supporters are rallying behind her, hoping for a shift in the political landscape that could pave the way for her reinstatement as Prime Minister.
