In a fiery audio message released from New Delhi, ousted PM Sheikh Hasina has urged Bangladeshis to remove the Interim Government, triggering a fresh diplomatic standoff between India and Bangladesh.
On January 23, 2026, for the first time since fleeing Dhaka in August 2024, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the public directly from Indian soil. In a pre-recorded audio message played at an event in New Delhi, she launched a scathing attack on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, calling for his removal just weeks before the critical February 12, 2026 General Elections.
This development has left the Interim Government in Dhaka “shocked” and “aggrieved,” raising serious questions about the terms of her political asylum in India and the future of bilateral relations.
The “5-Point Call” to Restore Democracy
Sheikh Hasina’s address was played at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) in New Delhi during an event organized by her supporters. In her 10-minute speech, delivered in Bangla and English, she issued a “5-point call” to her followers:
- Overthrow the Interim Govt: She labeled the Yunus administration as “illegal,” “unelected,” and a “puppet regime” that must be removed to restore democracy.
- UN Investigation: She demanded a “truly impartial” United Nations investigation into the violent events of July-August 2024 that led to her ouster.
- Safety for Minorities: She highlighted the attacks on Hindus and other minorities, demanding ironclad guarantees for their safety.
- End “Lawfare”: She called for an end to the “politically motivated” legal cases against Awami League leaders.
- Restore the Constitution: She urged the people to unite and protect the Constitution of 1971.
“The murderous fascist Yunus… has bled our nation dry. Democracy is now in exile,” Hasina stated, marking her most aggressive stance yet.
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Dhaka’s Reaction: “Shocked and Surprised”
The reaction from Dhaka was swift and severe. On Sunday, January 25, 2026, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry officially expressed its displeasure.
- Diplomatic Protest: Dhaka stated it was “surprised” that India allowed Hasina to use its soil to make “inciteful pronouncements” against a neighboring government.
- Election Interference: The Interim Government warned that such statements endanger Bangladesh’s stability and could incite violence ahead of the February 12 polls, where Hasina’s party, the Awami League, has effectively been barred from contesting.
- Extradition Demand: The statement reiterated that India is violating the extradition treaty by sheltering a “convict.” (Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal in November 2025).
Why This Matters Now?
The timing of this speech is critical. Bangladesh is preparing for its first general election since the “July Uprising.”
- The Feb 12 Elections: The polls are seen as a test for Bangladesh’s democratic recovery. However, with the Awami League sidelined and BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) expected to sweep, Hasina’s call for a boycott or uprising could lead to pre-election violence.
- India’s Dilemma: New Delhi is walking a tightrope. It has refused to extradite Hasina, citing safety and human rights concerns regarding her “flawed” trial. However, allowing her to campaign politically from Delhi contradicts India’s usual policy of not allowing refugees to launch political activities against friendly neighbors.
What Happens Next?
- Diplomatic Strain: This incident is expected to further cool relations between the Modi government and the Yunus administration, which are already strained over minority rights issues.
- Potential Violence: Intelligence agencies in both countries are on high alert for clashes between Awami League loyalists and the police in Dhaka in the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why is Sheikh Hasina in India?
Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, after a massive student-led uprising forced her to resign. She has been living in a safe house in the Delhi-NCR region since then for security reasons.
Q2: What is the date of the Bangladesh Elections?
The General Elections in Bangladesh are scheduled for February 12, 2026.
Q3: Can Sheikh Hasina contest the 2026 election?
No. Her party, the Awami League, has been banned from political activities by the Interim Government, and she personally faces a death sentence and multiple arrest warrants.
Q4: Did India agree to extradite her?
No. Despite repeated requests and a death sentence verdict from Dhaka in Nov 2025, India has indicated it will not extradite her, likely citing the political nature of the trial and risk of persecution.
Q5: Who is Muhammad Yunus?
Muhammad Yunus is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who took over as the Chief Adviser (head of the Interim Government) of Bangladesh after Hasina’s fall. Hasina accuses him of being a “foreign agent.”