"Terrorist Aggression": Sheikh Hasina Seeks Punishment For Rioters In Her First Statement Days After Ouster From Bangladesh

In her first statement after being ousted from Bangladesh, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has called for the punishment of rioters responsible for unrest in the country

She also demanded justice for the desecration of her father's statue, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Founding Father of Bangladesh.

In a three-page statement shared on X by her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Sheikh Hasina reflected on the tragic loss of her family members during the assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on 15 August 1975.

The army-led coup that night also claimed the lives of Mujibur Rahman’s sons, their wives, his brother’s family, as well as close colleagues and associates.

Sheikh Hasina addressed the current turmoil in her country, condemning the violence that has swept across Bangladesh under the guise of protest.

"Since last July, the acts of sabotage, arson, and violence in the name of movements have resulted many innocent citizens of our country losing their lives. Students, teachers, police officers—including pregnant women—journalists, cultural activists, workers, leaders, activists of the Awami League (and its affiliated organizations), pedestrians, and others who were working in various establishments have fallen victim to terrorist aggression and lost their lives," she said.

"People like me, who continue to live with the pain of losing their loved ones, I offer my deepest sympathy. I demand a thorough investigation to identify and bring to justice those responsible for these heinous killings and acts of sabotage," Hasina added.

The violent protesters in Bangladesh had not only targeted Hasina but alos the house she grew up in, and which was turned into a museum and attracted notable visitors from around the world.

"That is now dust... And the memories we had -- that have been reduced to ashes with the disrespect shown to Mujibur Rahman, under whose leadership we got our freedom, recognition, self-respect... the blood shed by thousands of freedom fighters has been desecrated... I demand justice for this from my countrymen," she added.

Sheikh Hasina called for 15 August to be observed as a day of mourning, dedicated to paying respects and praying for martyrs at "Bangabandhu Bhavan."

Sheikh Hasina was just 28 when her father was assassinated, forcing her into exile from 1975 until the late 1980s. During her time abroad, she ascended to the leadership of the Awami League, the party her father had founded, and entered the political arena.

In 1996, she led the Awami League to victory in the national election, becoming Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister.

The student protests that ultimately led to her ouster had begun weeks earlier, focused on quotas in government jobs for the families of freedom fighters.

However, the government's resistance to these demands escalated the situation, with protesters eventually calling for Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. As the violence intensified, the army intervened, and Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign under a 45-minute ultimatum.

Currently residing in India, Sheikh Hasina’s next steps remain undisclosed. However, her son has indicated that the 76-year-old leader plans to return to Bangladesh when the elections are held.

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