Bangladesh Seeks Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina’s Return, Sends Diplomatic Note To India

SOURCE ; NEW18

Last Updated:December 23, 2024, 19:35 IST

Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India since August 5 when her Awami League government was ousted by student-led protests, as relations between the two countries strained.

Bangladesh’s interim government on Monday sent a note verbale or a diplomatic note to India calling on the latter to send back deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to Dhaka.

Hasina, 77, has been living in exile in India since Aug 5 when she fled the country amid the student-led protests over a controversial job quota system that toppled her 16-year regime. The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for “crimes against humanity and genocide”.

“We have sent a note verbale (diplomatic message) to the Indian government saying that Bangladesh wants her back here for the judicial process,” Foreign Affairs Adviser or de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain told reporters at his office.

Earlier today, Bangladesh’s Home Advisor Jahangir Alam said his office has sent a letter to the foreign ministry to facilitate the ousted premier’s extradition from India. “We have sent a letter to the foreign ministry regarding her extradition. The process is currently underway,” he told reporters in response to a query.

Alam asserted that an extradition treaty between Dhaka and New Delhi already exists and Hasina could be brought back to Bangladesh under the treaty.

“We confirm that we have received a Note Verbale from the Bangladesh High Commission today in connection with an extradition request. At this time, we have no comment to offer on this matter,” a spokesperson from the MEA told News18 after Bangladesh’s note.

Muhammad Yunus’ Had Vowed To Bring Back Hasina

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus had long promised that his administration would seek the extradition of Hasina. In a televised address to the nation on his first 100 days in office, Yunus said that the interim government will try those responsible including the former PM for hundreds of deaths during the student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule.

“We will seek the return of the fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina from India,” he said. Yunus said Hasina’s role would be investigated not only in the deaths during the unrest but also in other violations of human rights, including alleged enforced disappearances while she was in power.

Sheikh Hasina has targeted the Yunus-led interim government in several speeches from India. On December 15, Hasina labelled Yunus as a “fascist” and accused him of suppressing the spirit of the Liberation War and pro-liberation forces.

“This undemocratic group led by the fascist Yunus has no responsibility towards the people,” she said. “They are secretly supporting the anti-Independence radical communal forces. The lack of sensitivity of the leaders of this government, including the fascist Yunus, towards the Liberation War and its history is proven in every step they take.”

India-Bangladesh Relations

Relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the formation of an interim government which Yunus now heads, particularly over a spate of attacks on minorities, including the Hindu community, in the last few months.

India on Friday lodged a strong protest with Dhaka over certain controversial comments made by the key aide of Bangladesh’s interim government, Mahfuj Alam. In a now-deleted Facebook post, Alam said India should recognise the uprising that forced the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign.

“We have registered our strong protest on this issue with the Bangladesh side. We understand that the post being referred to has reportedly been taken down,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, adding that such comments underline the need for responsibility in public articulation.

(with agency inputs)

Location :

Dhaka, Bangladesh