‘I’ll Return, Avenge Our Martyrs’: Sheikh Hasina Calls Yunus A ‘Terrorist’ In Address To Awami Workers

In her second virtual address since being ousted on August 5, Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vowed to return and avenge.

The deaths of Awami League cadres and some police officers, calling them ‘martyrs’ of political violence. Hasina has been living in political exile for the past seven months.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, the former Bangladesh Prime Minister connected with five widows and their children through a Zoom link, in a session moderated by Nazrul Islam, president of the Awami League (Europe chapter). The address continued for almost 45 minutes, as the YouTube live was watched by around 7000 to 8000 people from various locations.

“I will request all of you to have patience and stay united. I will return, avenge our martyrs. I will do justice like I did earlier. You have my word,” Hasina assured the grieving families, with her voice resolute.

She accused Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of the interim government of being ‘guilty’ of such violence and injustice. “Allah has given me a second life and I believe that this happened for a cause. They tried to kill me earlier also and they tried to kill me on the day (August 5). But I survived, only to a return again. I will do justice. Allah is with all of us,” she said.

Govt of ‘terrorists’ in Bangladesh
Hasina’s address signals another instance of escalating the political rhetoric amid Bangladesh’s ongoing turmoil further. “Yunus has no experience of running a government. He dissolved all inquiry committees and unleashed the terrorists to butcher people. They are destroying Bangladesh. We will out this government of terrorists. Inshallah,” added the former PM of Bangladesh.

Even as the families of the deceased Awami Leagues cadres begged her for support, she said that she would do everything to help them. “I had made a trust to support the families, but our bank accounts, the trust and all our assets were frozen by this government. They slaughtered my family including my 10-year-old brother. I know what you are going through. I promise, I will come back,” she said.

The interaction appeared to be a mix of empathy and defiance. She listened to the widows narrate their loss, offering them solace while making it clear that she intends to reclaim power. The session was carefully orchestrated and moderated, showing that the exiled leader is still very much in the fight.