Bangladesh has protested to India and expressed regret over the permission granted to fugitive Sheikh Hasina, convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity, to address a public event in New Delhi.
It may be noted that general elections are scheduled in Bangladesh on February 12 following the flight of former Prime Minister Hasina Wajid to India.
On January 23, Hasina Wajid addressed her supporters in Bangladesh via audio from an event in New Delhi.
In a statement, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said that Hasina openly demanded the removal of the Bangladesh government and incited her party loyalists and the public to carry out terrorist acts to sabotage the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry stated that the unrestrained incitement by the Awami League leadership has once again proven why the interim government had to restrict their activities.
The statement warned that this “group” will be responsible for any violence and terrorism during election preparations and polling day, and appropriate measures will be taken to thwart their nefarious conspiracies.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry expressed surprise and deep disappointment that India allowed the fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to deliver a public address in New Delhi, an act that clearly endangers Bangladesh’s democratic transition, peace, and security. Permitting this event in the Indian capital and allowing the killer Hasina to openly deliver a hate speech is a blatant insult to the people and government of Bangladesh.
The statement noted that Bangladesh is deeply disappointed that, despite repeated requests, India is taking a lenient approach to fulfilling its obligations under the bilateral extradition treaty to hand over Hasina to Bangladesh, while also permitting her to issue such incendiary statements from its soil.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry stated that this sets a dangerous precedent for the future relations between Bangladesh and India, potentially severely damaging the ability of Bangladesh’s future elected leadership to establish and advance mutually beneficial bilateral ties.
