Sheikh Hasina calls Muhammad Yunus ‘mastermind’ behind mass killings in Bangladesh

In a recorded statement, released at an Awami League event, the ousted PM said interim govt had silenced the Opposition, with 'all Awami League MPs, other dissenters being handcuffed'.

Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina | Reuters

New Delhi: In an audio clip, former prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, is heard making a bold claim—that the head of the country’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, was the “mastermind” behind the mass killings that have rocked the nation. Released following an Awami League event on 1 December, the audio captures Hasina’s frustration and resolve as she addressed the public for the first time since her ouster.

Hasina, speaking in Bangla, argued that the interim government structure had effectively silenced the Opposition, with “all Awami League MPs, human rights organisations, and other dissenters” reportedly being “handcuffed” by the current political set-up. ThePrint has accessed the audio file of the speech.

The event echoed with defiant slogans like “1971 weapons used by Bangabandhu shall make a comeback one more time” and “Sheikh Hasina knows no fear, Rajpath is still ours.” In her recorded speech, Hasina channeled the powerful rhetoric of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh, evoking his legacy. She urged her followers to hold on to the ideals of the 1971 independence struggle and referred to her political journey since assuming power in 2001, thanking both the expatriate Bengali community and her supporters for their unwavering loyalty.

She compared the assassination attempt on her to the attack on her father and accused student coordinators of orchestrating the deliberate assault.

“There was a clear plan to kill me, just like they did with my father,” she said, recalling how an armed mob surrounded her residence, Gana Bhavan, in a bid to take her life. “It lasted for about 25 to 30 minutes, but I instructed my security not to open fire,” Hasina explained. “I did not want to cause a massacre.”

However, Hasina’s most significant remarks were directed at the violence and political unrest of the past few months. She condemned the desecration of religious places, including mosques and mazars, in the wake of the July uprising, asserting that a deliberate sentiment had been created to turn the public against the Awami League. According to Hasina, the party had been unfairly implicated in violence, with fabricated videos painting it as the aggressor. She strongly denied any involvement in the attacks, emphasising that the Awami League had, in fact, cared for the wounded protestors by sending them to hospitals.

She also condemned the attacks on ISKCON members, saying, “Criminals like these continue to blame the Awami League for everything, but are we to blame for ensuring law and justice in the country?”

She described Yunus as an “opportunist”, accusing him of exploiting the Grameen Bank project for his personal gain. “It was I who funded the Grameen Bank initiative, yet Yunus has misused it for his benefit,” she said. “How did he amass so much wealth? After winning the Nobel Prize, he should have donated that money to the bank, but he didn’t. Instead, he has severely damaged the country’s economic and diplomatic relations.”

Hasina described the situation as one of political and institutional attack. “A country operates through three branches: executive, judiciary, and legislature. All three have been attacked,” she said, referring to the violence that had claimed numerous lives. “This is not a revolution, but a carefully orchestrated massacre,” she continued.

Hasina pointed fingers at Yunus, a key figure in the opposition, labeling him as the “mastermind” behind the killings. She also implicated the son of Ziaur Rahman (a former president and founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party), who is currently based in London, alleging that these killings were part of a calculated plan to destabilise the country.

In an emotional plea, Hasina urged her followers to remain steadfast, reminding them of their shared struggle for democracy and justice.

“Industries have been ruined, yet they claim to be bringing reforms. This was all part of a plan to oust me. Prices are soaring, and the safety and security of ordinary citizens have been compromised. What kind of system are they trying to create? Their only focus seems to be on imprisoning me and putting me to trial. The youth today, with mobile phones in their hands have forgotten Awami League’s contribution and need to be made aware now,” she concluded.