Keep ex-Premier Hasina ‘silent,’ Bangladesh tells India
DHAKA, Bangladesh
Bangladesh transitional government chief Muhammad Yunus said former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina must keep silent as her political remarks from India are “causing discomfort” between the two neighboring nations.
In an interview to Press Trust of India, Yunus said Sheikh Hasina making political remarks from India is an “unfriendly gesture,” asserting that she must “remain silent” to prevent discomfort to both countries until Dhaka asks for her extradition.
Hasina fled to India on Aug. 5 where she is currently staying, following mass protests against her 15-year rule over Bangladesh.
“If India wants to keep her until the time Bangladesh (government) wants her back, the condition would be that she has to keep quiet,” Yunus said.
Hasina appears to have given only one media interview in which she claimed the US was behind her ouster.
Hasina said she had refused to hand over Saint Martin Island to the US, which would have given Washington influence over the Bay of Bengal, Indian daily the Economic Times reported in August.
The US, however, has refuted Hasina’s claim.
After the fall of Hasina’s government, Yunus was appointed as head of the transitional government until fresh elections are held.
Yunus said Bangladesh “values strong ties” with India but New Delhi must move “beyond the narrative that portrays every other political party except Awami League as Islamist and that the country will turn into Afghanistan without Sheikh Hasina.”
Foreign Affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain earlier said that the government would ask India to send Hasina back from India if required by the country’s legal system.
Many cases, including murder, crimes against humanity, and genocide, were filed against Hasina and her government officials following her resignation.
Meanwhile, the chief election commissioner and four other commissioners of Bangladesh polls watchdog resigned Thursday.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said the last election held on Jan. 7 this year, which gave Hasina a record fourth term, was “controversial as it was not politically inclusive.”
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