Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, sharply criticized the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus on Monday, vowing to return to power and ensure justice for the families of victims. Speaking at a public event, she expressed her determination, stating, "I will ensure that every victim's family receives justice and that those responsible for the killings face the law in Bangladesh. I shall return—perhaps that's why Allah has kept me alive."
Hasina refuted claims that police firing caused the deaths during the student protests in July and August, asserting that if post-mortems were conducted now, it would be proven that the victims did not die from police action. She defended the police's response, stating that they acted with restraint and only responded to attacks. "In the Abu Sayed case, the police acted in defense when they were attacked. The police, under my leadership, used maximum restraint, and the deaths of police officers were part of a planned attack," she remarked.
The former prime minister accused the current administration of shielding those responsible for the violence. She noted that the student protests had led to the deaths of police officers, Awami League members, intellectuals, and artists, yet those responsible would not be held accountable under Yunus's rule. "The families of those who were killed will not find justice under this government," she said.
Hasina also criticized Yunus's ability to govern, calling him unfit for leadership. "Yunus himself admitted he is incapable of running the country, yet he persists in his role. The attacks on government buildings and officers reflect his incompetence," she added.
Further, Hasina alleged that Yunus was behind the destruction of her ancestral home in Dhaka, stating, "The Bangabandhu residence was set on fire. I had donated that house to the public, and now it has been destroyed. This was his plan."
She also condemned the government for its poor handling of the economy and security situation. "It’s been over six months, yet mob violence continues. Now he’s planning to launch Operation Devil Hunt. He cannot govern. The economy is in crisis, law and order is deteriorating, and public safety is at risk," Hasina stated.
In a meeting with the widows of police officers killed during the protests, Hasina described the deaths as part of a larger conspiracy to destabilize the nation. "It’s part of the same scheme that led to the destruction of the Bangabandhu Memorial at Dhanmondi," she concluded.