Breaking her silence for the first time since she stepped down as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh amid a massive anti-government protest, Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the act of sabotage in the name of movements led to the death of many innocent people.
In her statement released on X by her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Hasina referred to the death of her family members when her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated on August 15, 1975.
Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujib and most of his family members, except daughters Hasina and Rehana, were killed on August 15, 1975.
Hasina wrote in her statement: “Since last July, the acts of sabotage, arson, and violence in the name of movements have resulted many innocent citizens of our country losing their lives. Students, teachers, police officers—including pregnant women—journalists, cultural activists, workers, leaders, activists of the Awami League (and its affiliated organizations), pedestrians, and others who were working in various establishments have fallen victim to terrorist aggression and lost their lives.”
“People like me, who continue to live with the pain of losing their loved ones, I offer my deepest sympathy. I demand a thorough investigation to identify and bring to justice those responsible for these heinous killings and acts of sabotage,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina sought justice from the people of Bangladesh for the destruction of the house where the assassination took place which was transformed into a museum.
“The positive results of these efforts have begun to manifest, with Bangladesh now holding a place of honor among the developing nations of the world,” Hasina said.
“It is with unspeakable sorrow that I must inform you that today, all of that has been reduced to ashes,” she said.
“The very memory that was our lifeline has been burned to the ground. This is a profound insult to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under whose leadership we achieved our self-respect, our identity, and our independent nation. It is a grave dishonor to the blood of millions of martyrs. I seek justice from the people of this nation,” Hasina said.
Hasina urged people to observe National Mourning Day on August 15.
The interim government of Bangladesh which was formed following the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime has declared that no public holiday will be observed on August 15.
The decision was taken on Monday during a meeting of the Council of Advisers, presided over by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, reported Dhaka Tribune.
What happened in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh witnessed turmoil in recent weeks which began with students protesting against job quotas and then slowly spiralled into a mass movement that demanded former PM Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.
The violence led to the death of over 300 people.
The showdown took a new turn when former PM Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign which led to the toppling of her government and ending her 15-year rule.
Hasina escaped to India in a helicopter.
