Far from Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina describes a quieter routine than the one that defined fifteen years in power: newspapers from home, political briefings, and long hours with the books her father left behind. In a written interview with WION's Sidhant Sibal, the former Bangladesh prime minister said life away from the country ‘is never easy’ and that Bangladesh is in her thoughts ‘every moment’. She follows Bangladeshi and international media, economic reports and analysis, and stays in contact with people who, she says, know the situation on the ground.&nbsp;Reading, she insisted, is not an escape. Among the books closest to her are Bangabandhur Osomapto Attojiboni&nbsp;, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s unfinished autobiography, and Karagarer Rojnamcha, his prison diaries. “These writings are not only personal documents,” she said. “They are records of struggle, sacrifice, patience and faith in the people. They remind us why Bangladesh was created.” The interview also returns to a private geography of grief. After the 1975 assassination of her father and most of her family, India gave her “safety, shelter and human kindness”. Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi, she said, has “a very special place” in her memory. She goes there, when she does, “as a human being, as a daughter who lost her family, and as someone who seeks strength through prayer”, not for politics. Asked whether she would visit the shrine again before any homecoming, she offered no comment.&nbsp;The former Bangladesh PM plans to return to her country in December, as she has a ‘responsibility to my people and to millions of Awami League supporters who have been deprived of their political voice’.<h3>Sidhant Sibal: You are planning a political comeback from exile. How will it happen? Is December confirmed, that you will be back in your country?</h3>Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesh is passing through a grave national crisis. Democratic space has been closed. The judiciary is being used for political revenge. Media freedom has been restricted. Law and order have weakened. Minorities feel unsafe. Extremist forces have regained space. The economy has suffered. Factories have closed, unemployment has risen, investment has fallen, prices are hurting ordinary families, and electricity and gas shortages have returned. I do not see my return as a personal political comeback. I see it as part of a larger struggle to restore democracy, constitutional government, and the right of the people of Bangladesh to choose their government freely. My intention is clear. I want to return to my homeland because I have a responsibility to my people and to millions of Awami League supporters who have been deprived of their political voice. But we are not yet at the stage of announcing a specific date, time, or point of entry. Such a decision is not only political. It also involves security, organisation, and the safety of people on the ground.<h3>Sidhant Sibal: If you go back, do you think your life will be under threat?</h3>Sheikh Hasina: Yes, I am aware of the risk. But threats to my life are not new. In 1975, I lost my father, my mother, my brothers, and almost my entire family. I survived only because I was abroad. After returning to Bangladesh, I faced military rule, dictatorship, conspiracies, imprisonment, and repeated assassination attempts. There have been at least 19 attempts on my life. The most brutal was the grenade attack on 21 August 2004. It was carried out in broad daylight at my public rally when I was Leader of the Opposition. Twenty-four people were killed and more than three hundred were injured. I myself was injured and lost hearing in one ear. My party leaders and workers formed a human shield around me. Many of them sacrificed their lives to save mine. So personal danger is not new to me. If I had thought only about my own safety, I would never have entered politics. I would never have returned to Bangladesh. I would never have fought dictatorship, terrorism, and conspiracy. But today my concern is not only about myself. I am concerned about ordinary Awami League leaders and workers, journalists, intellectuals, minorities, women, students, cultural activists, and every citizen who is being punished because of political belief. But fear cannot decide my duty. My life has long moved beyond calculations of personal safety. My responsibility is to Bangladesh and to its people.<h3>Sidhant Sibal: You are in India now. How do you spend your time? Do you read books? Any specific books?</h3>Sheikh Hasina: Life away from one’s own country is never easy. Bangladesh is in my thoughts every moment. I follow developments in Bangladesh closely. I read Bangladeshi newspapers, international media, reports, political analysis and economic updates. I remain in contact with people who know the situation on the ground. I also spend time reading. I read history, politics, economics, international affairs and books related to Bangladesh’s Liberation War and democratic struggle. I often return to the writings and speeches of Bangabandhu because his vision for Bangladesh continues to guide me. Among the books closest to me are Bangabandhur Osomapto Attojiboni and Karagarer Rojnamcha. I also read the diaries of the Father of the Nation. These writings are not only personal documents. They are records of struggle, sacrifice, patience and faith in the people. They remind us why Bangladesh was created and what kind of country Bangabandhu wanted to build. For me, reading is not an escape from politics. It is part of preparation. Bangladesh is passing through a very difficult period, and I spend much of my time thinking about how the country can be rescued from political revenge, economic decline, institutional breakdown and extremism.<h3>Sidhant Sibal: Since historic Nizamuddin Dargah has had a historic connection with your family, and it was here you went before going back to Bangladesh in the 1980s, do you visit that place?</h3>Sheikh Hasina: Nizamuddin Dargah has a very special place in my memory and in my family’s history. My relationship with India is not only political. India has been connected with some of the most painful and important moments of my life. After the assassination of my father and most of my family in 1975, India gave me safety, shelter and human kindness at a time of unimaginable grief. I will always remember the compassion of the Indian people during that dark period. Places like Nizamuddin carry spiritual and historical meaning. They are places of prayer, reflection, humility and remembrance. When I visit such a place, I do not go there for politics. I go there as a human being, as a daughter who lost her family, and as someone who seeks strength through prayer. These memories are deeply personal to me.<h3>Sidhant Sibal: And will you go to Nizamuddin Dargah before coming back to Bangladesh in December?</h3>Sheikh Hasina: I have no comment on this at this stage.<h3>Sidhant Sibal: How do you think history will remember you?</h3>Sheikh Hasina: I hope history will remember one simple truth: I believed in the capacity of the people of Bangladesh, and I worked to prove what Bangladesh can achieve. During my five terms as Prime Minister, my central goal was always the welfare of ordinary people. After the 2008 election, during nearly sixteen consecutive years in government, we placed Bangladesh on a strong foundation through long-term planning, disciplined implementation, and people-oriented development. We raised the economy from about 70 billion dollars to about 450 billion dollars. Per capita income increased from 482 dollars to 2,784 dollars. Poverty declined from 41 percent to 18.7 percent, and extreme poverty declined from 25.1 percent to 5.6 percent. Bangladesh achieved developing country status and became recognised as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. We brought electricity to every citizen. Power generation capacity rose from 3,782 megawatts to more than 28,000 megawatts. We built the Padma Bridge with our own resources. We built Metro Rail, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, Karnaphuli Tunnel, expressways, Digital Bangladesh, and Bangabandhu Satellite. We established nearly 15,000 community clinics to bring healthcare to people’s doorsteps. We reduced maternal and child mortality. We expanded education, women’s participation, social safety nets, housing for landless families, and support for the poor. We introduced 145 social safety net programmes and brought millions of people under different allowance schemes. We also fought terrorism with zero tolerance. We modernised law enforcement, built counterterrorism capacity, and proved that a Muslim-majority country can fight militancy while protecting faith, secularism, democracy, and pluralism. No government is perfect. My government was not perfect either. There were criticisms and mistakes, and history will judge all of them. But no one can deny that Bangladesh changed. No one can deny that the lives of ordinary people improved. My father believed in the capacity of the Bengali nation. I also believed in my people. We showed the world: yes, Bangladesh can. If Bangladesh becomes a prosperous, democratic, peaceful, secular, and inclusive country, that will be the greatest legacy I could hope for.<h3>Sidhant Sibal: Do you think the Awami League enjoys support in the country?</h3>Sheikh Hasina: Absolutely. The Awami League remains the strongest political force in Bangladesh. It is a historic political organisation rooted in the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and every democratic struggle of Bangladesh. Under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, this party led the birth of Bangladesh. No ban, false case, death sentence, or political conspiracy can erase it from the hearts of the people. It is rooted in every village, every ward, every union, every district, and every community of Bangladesh. Those who are now occupying power know this very well. That is why they barred the Awami League from political activities. That is why they kept us out of the election. They did not defeat the Awami League at the ballot box. They removed the Awami League before the people could speak. Information from Bangladesh’s own intelligence sources showed that if the Awami League had been allowed to contest the last election, we would have received around 63 percent of the vote. That is why they were afraid. That is why they imposed restrictions, filed false cases, shut down our activities, and staged an election without us. But banning a party does not remove its supporters. Closing party offices does not erase people’s memory. Filing cases does not change people’s experience. People know how to compare. They know what Bangladesh was under the Awami League and what Bangladesh has become now. Under the Awami League, there was stability, development, electricity, infrastructure, investment, security, and hope. Now there is fear, unemployment, price rise, terrorism, minority persecution, and institutional collapse. Whenever there is a free, fair, and inclusive election, the Awami League will win an overwhelming majority. I have no doubt about that.<h3>Sidhant Sibal: Who do you think was responsible for the political upheaval in your country in August 2024?</h3>Sheikh Hasina: The events of July and August 2024 cannot be explained simply as a spontaneous student movement. That is an incomplete and misleading picture. At the beginning, there were students with concerns about the quota issue. I have never said that young people should not express their views. My government had already abolished the quota system in 2018. When the High Court later annulled that decision in 2024, my government appealed. We invited students for dialogue. Ministers spoke with them. We accepted reasonable demands. We chose legal process, political engagement, and patience. But what began around a student demand was quickly hijacked by forces whose objective was not quota reform. Their objective was to overthrow an elected Awami League government through street violence and chaos. Muhammad Yunus himself later described the movement as “meticulously designed.” That statement alone shows this was not a simple spontaneous protest. The first death was Sabuj Ali, a Dhaka College activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, who was killed on 16 July. After that, violence was deliberately escalated. Government offices were attacked. Public infrastructure was destroyed. Metro Rail was attacked. Police stations were burned. Weapons were looted. Law enforcement officers were killed, tortured, and even hanged from flyovers. Prisons were attacked and militants escaped. Several forces were responsible: opposition political actors, radical groups, militant elements, and those who wanted to use student emotion as a cover for power seizure. I have also said before that questions about external involvement must be investigated carefully with evidence. But one thing is clear: this was not an ordinary protest movement. It was a coordinated political operation. My government had a responsibility to maintain law and order and protect lives, public property, state institutions, and ordinary citizens. In any country, when police stations are burned, officers are killed, prisons are attacked and weapons are looted, law enforcement must respond according to the situation and within the law. Every loss of life is tragic. That is why, while I was still in office, I formed a Judicial Inquiry Commission on 18 July 2024 headed by Justice Khondker Diliruzzaman of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. On 1 August, I expanded it into a three-member commission by adding Justice K.M. Zahid Sarwar and Justice Mohammad Showkat Ali Chowdhury. I wanted the truth to come out. But after 5 August, the illegal interim government stopped that inquiry, gave indemnity to those involved in the violence, and used fabricated narratives to criminalise the Awami League. That tells you who wanted truth and who wanted political revenge. The responsibility for August 2024 lies with those who transformed a student issue into violent regime change, those who planned it, financed it, encouraged it, protected it, and later used it to seize power. Bangladesh needs justice, but justice must come through a credible, independent investigation, not through propaganda and kangaroo trials.<h3>Sidhant Sibal: How do you think history will remember Yunus?</h3>Sheikh Hasina: Power exposed the difference between Muhammad Yunus’s international image and what he did to Bangladesh. After grabbing power through a meticulously designed movement, he did not try to heal Bangladesh. He did not restore democracy. He did not protect citizens. He unleashed mob violence, protected violent actors, and turned revenge into state policy. First, he destroyed Bangladesh’s political culture. Politics became a matter of banning opponents, filing false cases, using the judiciary as a weapon, staging trials, and silencing millions of citizens. The Awami League, the party that led Bangladesh’s Liberation War, was criminalised. Its leaders and workers were killed, jailed, driven into hiding, or buried under fabricated cases. Second, he attacked the history and identity of Bangladesh. Under his watch, the symbols of the Liberation War were destroyed. Freedom fighters were humiliated. The memory of Bangabandhu was targeted. Dhanmondi 32, the historic residence of the Father of the Nation, was attacked and demolished in phases. He spoke of pressing a “reset button.” In reality, that meant trying to erase the Liberation War, erase Bangabandhu, and erase the secular foundation of Bangladesh. Third, he destroyed institutions. Judges were forced to resign under mob pressure. Courts became instruments of revenge. The administration was politicised. Law enforcement was weakened. Media freedom was crushed. Cultural institutions were attacked. Minorities were left exposed. A country we built on secularism and equal citizenship was pushed toward fear and communal politics. Fourth, he opened the door to extremism. Convicted and accused militants were released or allowed to escape. Banned organisations began operating openly. Terrorists who had been kept under control during my government found space again.&nbsp;&nbsp;At the same time, law enforcement and intelligence officers who fought terrorism were dismissed, jailed, or harassed. Those who protected Bangladesh from terrorism were punished, and those linked to extremism were rewarded. Fifth, his mismanagement damaged public health and cost innocent children their lives. We had almost brought measles to the point of elimination. Our vaccination programme was a global model. But under his administration, vaccine procurement was disrupted, warnings were ignored, and the health system was neglected. More than a thousand children died from a preventable disease because of his administrative failure. That is not an accident. That is a crime against the people. Sixth, he used power for personal protection and institutional benefit. After he came to power, cases against him were removed one after another: his labour conviction, labour-law cases, Anti-Corruption Commission case, personal tax cases, and tax cases involving his Grameen network. Grameen Kalyan’s BDT 666 crore tax liability was removed. Grameen Bank received a five-year tax exemption. The government stake in Grameen Bank was cut from 25 percent to 10 percent, weakening public oversight. Approvals and privileges were rushed for Yunus-linked institutions, including a hospital and medical college project, Grameen University, a digital wallet licence, and manpower export authorisation. His associates and network were placed in sensitive positions. So, what was his so-called revolution? It was not for the people. It was for power, protection, and personal benefit. Look at Bangladesh today. The economy has weakened. Investment has fallen. Factories have closed. Jobs have disappeared. Prices have risen. Law and order have collapsed. Women and children are unsafe. Minorities live in fear. Terror networks are reappearing. The development journey of Bangladesh has been derailed. History will not judge him by his Nobel Prize alone. History will judge him by what he did when he held power. And I believe history will remember Muhammad Yunus as a man who created a fake image of peace abroad but destroyed peace at home; a man who spoke of empowering the poor but used power to protect himself; a man who claimed moral authority but presided over revenge, mob violence, institutional destruction, extremism, and the deaths of children. In the end, people will remember him as a selfish power monger who destroyed a peaceful, rising Bangladesh through meticulous design for his own benefit. Bangladesh will recover. The people will recover their country. But the damage he has done will remain a dark chapter in our history.

 In a written interview with WION's Sidhant Sibal, the former Bangladesh prime minister said life away from the country ‘is never easy’ and that Bangladesh is in her thoughts ‘every moment’

Far from Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina describes a quieter routine than the one that defined fifteen years in power: newspapers from home, political briefings, and long hours with the books her father left behind. In a written interview with WION's Sidhant Sibal, the former Bangladesh prime minister said life away from the country ‘is never easy’ and that Bangladesh is in her thoughts ‘every moment’. She follows Bangladeshi and international media, economic reports and analysis, and stays in contact with people who, she says, know the situation on the ground. Reading, she insisted, is not an escape. Among the books closest to her are Bangabandhur Osomapto Attojiboni , Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s unfinished autobiography, and Karagarer Rojnamcha, his prison diaries. “These writings are not only personal documents,” she said. “They are records of struggle, sacrifice, patience and faith in the people. They remind us why Bangladesh was created.” The interview also returns to a private geography of grief. After the 1975 assassination of her father and most of her family, India gave her “safety, shelter and human kindness”. Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi, she said, has “a very special place” in her memory. She goes there, when she does, “as a human being, as a daughter who lost her family, and as someone who seeks strength through prayer”, not for politics. Asked whether she would visit the shrine again before any homecoming, she offered no comment. The former Bangladesh PM plans to return to her country in December, as she has a ‘responsibility to my people and to millions of Awami League supporters who have been deprived of their political voice’. Sidhant Sibal: You are planning a political comeback from exile. How will it happen? Is December confirmed, that you will be back in your country? Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesh is passing through a grave national crisis. Democratic space has been closed. The judiciary is being used for political revenge. Media freedom has been restricted. Law and order have weakened. Minorities feel unsafe. Extremist forces have regained space. The economy has suffered. Factories have closed, unemployment has risen, investment has fallen, prices are hurting ordinary families, and electricity and gas shortages have returned. I do not see my return as a personal political comeback. I see it as part of a larger struggle to restore democracy, constitutional government, and the right of the people of Bangladesh to choose their government freely. My intention is clear. I want to return to my homeland because I have a responsibility to my people and to millions of Awami League supporters who have been deprived of their political voice. But we are not yet at the stage of announcing a specific date, time, or point of entry. Such a decision is not only political. It also involves security, organisation, and the safety of people on the ground. Sidhant Sibal: If you go back, do you think your life will be under threat? Sheikh Hasina: Yes, I am aware of the risk. But threats to my life are not new. In 1975, I lost my father, my mother, my brothers, and almost my entire family. I survived only because I was abroad. After returning to Bangladesh, I faced military rule, dictatorship, conspiracies, imprisonment, and repeated assassination attempts. There have been at least 19 attempts on my life. The most brutal was the grenade attack on 21 August 2004. It was carried out in broad daylight at my public rally when I was Leader of the Opposition. Twenty-four people were killed and more than three hundred were injured. I myself was injured and lost hearing in one ear. My party leaders and workers formed a human shield around me. Many of them sacrificed their lives to save mine. So personal danger is not new to me. If I had thought only about my own safety, I would never have entered politics. I would never have returned to Bangladesh. I would never have fought dictatorship, terrorism, and conspiracy. But today my concern is not only about myself. I am concerned about ordinary Awami League leaders and workers, journalists, intellectuals, minorities, women, students, cultural activists, and every citizen who is being punished because of political belief. But fear cannot decide my duty. My life has long moved beyond calculations of personal safety. My responsibility is to Bangladesh and to its people. Sidhant Sibal: You are in India now. How do you spend your time? Do you read books? Any specific books? Sheikh Hasina: Life away from one’s own country is never easy. Bangladesh is in my thoughts every moment. I follow developments in Bangladesh closely. I read Bangladeshi newspapers, international media, reports, political analysis and economic updates. I remain in contact with people who know the situation on the ground. I also spend time reading. I read history, politics, economics, international affairs and books related to Bangladesh’s Liberation War and democratic struggle. I often return to the writings and speeches of Bangabandhu because his vision for Bangladesh continues to guide me. Among the books closest to me are Bangabandhur Osomapto Attojiboni and Karagarer Rojnamcha. I also read the diaries of the Father of the Nation. These writings are not only personal documents. They are records of struggle, sacrifice, patience and faith in the people. They remind us why Bangladesh was created and what kind of country Bangabandhu wanted to build. For me, reading is not an escape from politics. It is part of preparation. Bangladesh is passing through a very difficult period, and I spend much of my time thinking about how the country can be rescued from political revenge, economic decline, institutional breakdown and extremism. Sidhant Sibal: Since historic Nizamuddin Dargah has had a historic connection with your family, and it was here you went before going back to Bangladesh in the 1980s, do you visit that place? Sheikh Hasina: Nizamuddin Dargah has a very special place in my memory and in my family’s history. My relationship with India is not only political. India has been connected with some of the most painful and important moments of my life. After the assassination of my father and most of my family in 1975, India gave me safety, shelter and human kindness at a time of unimaginable grief. I will always remember the compassion of the Indian people during that dark period. Places like Nizamuddin carry spiritual and historical meaning. They are places of prayer, reflection, humility and remembrance. When I visit such a place, I do not go there for politics. I go there as a human being, as a daughter who lost her family, and as someone who seeks strength through prayer. These memories are deeply personal to me. Sidhant Sibal: And will you go to Nizamuddin Dargah before coming back to Bangladesh in December? Sheikh Hasina: I have no comment on this at this stage. Sidhant Sibal: How do you think history will remember you? Sheikh Hasina: I hope history will remember one simple truth: I believed in the capacity of the people of Bangladesh, and I worked to prove what Bangladesh can achieve. During my five terms as Prime Minister, my central goal was always the welfare of ordinary people. After the 2008 election, during nearly sixteen consecutive years in government, we placed Bangladesh on a strong foundation through long-term planning, disciplined implementation, and people-oriented development. We raised the economy from about 70 billion dollars to about 450 billion dollars. Per capita income increased from 482 dollars to 2,784 dollars. Poverty declined from 41 percent to 18.7 percent, and extreme poverty declined from 25.1 percent to 5.6 percent. Bangladesh achieved developing country status and became recognised as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. We brought electricity to every citizen. Power generation capacity rose from 3,782 megawatts to more than 28,000 megawatts. We built the Padma Bridge with our own resources. We built Metro Rail, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, Karnaphuli Tunnel, expressways, Digital Bangladesh, and Bangabandhu Satellite. We established nearly 15,000 community clinics to bring healthcare to people’s doorsteps. We reduced maternal and child mortality. We expanded education, women’s participation, social safety nets, housing for landless families, and support for the poor. We introduced 145 social safety net programmes and brought millions of people under different allowance schemes. We also fought terrorism with zero tolerance. We modernised law enforcement, built counterterrorism capacity, and proved that a Muslim-majority country can fight militancy while protecting faith, secularism, democracy, and pluralism. No government is perfect. My government was not perfect either. There were criticisms and mistakes, and history will judge all of them. But no one can deny that Bangladesh changed. No one can deny that the lives of ordinary people improved. My father believed in the capacity of the Bengali nation. I also believed in my people. We showed the world: yes, Bangladesh can. If Bangladesh becomes a prosperous, democratic, peaceful, secular, and inclusive country, that will be the greatest legacy I could hope for. Sidhant Sibal: Do you think the Awami League enjoys support in the country? Sheikh Hasina: Absolutely. The Awami League remains the strongest political force in Bangladesh. It is a historic political organisation rooted in the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and every democratic struggle of Bangladesh. Under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, this party led the birth of Bangladesh. No ban, false case, death sentence, or political conspiracy can erase it from the hearts of the people. It is rooted in every village, every ward, every union, every district, and every community of Bangladesh. Those who are now occupying power know this very well. That is why they barred the Awami League from political activities. That is why they kept us out of the election. They did not defeat the Awami League at the ballot box. They removed the Awami League before the people could speak. Information from Bangladesh’s own intelligence sources showed that if the Awami League had been allowed to contest the last election, we would have received around 63 percent of the vote. That is why they were afraid. That is why they imposed restrictions, filed false cases, shut down our activities, and staged an election without us. But banning a party does not remove its supporters. Closing party offices does not erase people’s memory. Filing cases does not change people’s experience. People know how to compare. They know what Bangladesh was under the Awami League and what Bangladesh has become now. Under the Awami League, there was stability, development, electricity, infrastructure, investment, security, and hope. Now there is fear, unemployment, price rise, terrorism, minority persecution, and institutional collapse. Whenever there is a free, fair, and inclusive election, the Awami League will win an overwhelming majority. I have no doubt about that. Sidhant Sibal: Who do you think was responsible for the political upheaval in your country in August 2024? Sheikh Hasina: The events of July and August 2024 cannot be explained simply as a spontaneous student movement. That is an incomplete and misleading picture. At the beginning, there were students with concerns about the quota issue. I have never said that young people should not express their views. My government had already abolished the quota system in 2018. When the High Court later annulled that decision in 2024, my government appealed. We invited students for dialogue. Ministers spoke with them. We accepted reasonable demands. We chose legal process, political engagement, and patience. But what began around a student demand was quickly hijacked by forces whose objective was not quota reform. Their objective was to overthrow an elected Awami League government through street violence and chaos. Muhammad Yunus himself later described the movement as “meticulously designed.” That statement alone shows this was not a simple spontaneous protest. The first death was Sabuj Ali, a Dhaka College activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, who was killed on 16 July. After that, violence was deliberately escalated. Government offices were attacked. Public infrastructure was destroyed. Metro Rail was attacked. Police stations were burned. Weapons were looted. Law enforcement officers were killed, tortured, and even hanged from flyovers. Prisons were attacked and militants escaped. Several forces were responsible: opposition political actors, radical groups, militant elements, and those who wanted to use student emotion as a cover for power seizure. I have also said before that questions about external involvement must be investigated carefully with evidence. But one thing is clear: this was not an ordinary protest movement. It was a coordinated political operation. My government had a responsibility to maintain law and order and protect lives, public property, state institutions, and ordinary citizens. In any country, when police stations are burned, officers are killed, prisons are attacked and weapons are looted, law enforcement must respond according to the situation and within the law. Every loss of life is tragic. That is why, while I was still in office, I formed a Judicial Inquiry Commission on 18 July 2024 headed by Justice Khondker Diliruzzaman of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. On 1 August, I expanded it into a three-member commission by adding Justice K.M. Zahid Sarwar and Justice Mohammad Showkat Ali Chowdhury. I wanted the truth to come out. But after 5 August, the illegal interim government stopped that inquiry, gave indemnity to those involved in the violence, and used fabricated narratives to criminalise the Awami League. That tells you who wanted truth and who wanted political revenge. The responsibility for August 2024 lies with those who transformed a student issue into violent regime change, those who planned it, financed it, encouraged it, protected it, and later used it to seize power. Bangladesh needs justice, but justice must come through a credible, independent investigation, not through propaganda and kangaroo trials. Sidhant Sibal: How do you think history will remember Yunus? Sheikh Hasina: Power exposed the difference between Muhammad Yunus’s international image and what he did to Bangladesh. After grabbing power through a meticulously designed movement, he did not try to heal Bangladesh. He did not restore democracy. He did not protect citizens. He unleashed mob violence, protected violent actors, and turned revenge into state policy. First, he destroyed Bangladesh’s political culture. Politics became a matter of banning opponents, filing false cases, using the judiciary as a weapon, staging trials, and silencing millions of citizens. The Awami League, the party that led Bangladesh’s Liberation War, was criminalised. Its leaders and workers were killed, jailed, driven into hiding, or buried under fabricated cases. Second, he attacked the history and identity of Bangladesh. Under his watch, the symbols of the Liberation War were destroyed. Freedom fighters were humiliated. The memory of Bangabandhu was targeted. Dhanmondi 32, the historic residence of the Father of the Nation, was attacked and demolished in phases. He spoke of pressing a “reset button.” In reality, that meant trying to erase the Liberation War, erase Bangabandhu, and erase the secular foundation of Bangladesh. Third, he destroyed institutions. Judges were forced to resign under mob pressure. Courts became instruments of revenge. The administration was politicised. Law enforcement was weakened. Media freedom was crushed. Cultural institutions were attacked. Minorities were left exposed. A country we built on secularism and equal citizenship was pushed toward fear and communal politics. Fourth, he opened the door to extremism. Convicted and accused militants were released or allowed to escape. Banned organisations began operating openly. Terrorists who had been kept under control during my government found space again. At the same time, law enforcement and intelligence officers who fought terrorism were dismissed, jailed, or harassed. Those who protected Bangladesh from terrorism were punished, and those linked to extremism were rewarded. Fifth, his mismanagement damaged public health and cost innocent children their lives. We had almost brought measles to the point of elimination. Our vaccination programme was a global model. But under his administration, vaccine procurement was disrupted, warnings were ignored, and the health system was neglected. More than a thousand children died from a preventable disease because of his administrative failure. That is not an accident. That is a crime against the people. Sixth, he used power for personal protection and institutional benefit. After he came to power, cases against him were removed one after another: his labour conviction, labour-law cases, Anti-Corruption Commission case, personal tax cases, and tax cases involving his Grameen network. Grameen Kalyan’s BDT 666 crore tax liability was removed. Grameen Bank received a five-year tax exemption. The government stake in Grameen Bank was cut from 25 percent to 10 percent, weakening public oversight. Approvals and privileges were rushed for Yunus-linked institutions, including a hospital and medical college project, Grameen University, a digital wallet licence, and manpower export authorisation. His associates and network were placed in sensitive positions. So, what was his so-called revolution? It was not for the people. It was for power, protection, and personal benefit. Look at Bangladesh today. The economy has weakened. Investment has fallen. Factories have closed. Jobs have disappeared. Prices have risen. Law and order have collapsed. Women and children are unsafe. Minorities live in fear. Terror networks are reappearing. The development journey of Bangladesh has been derailed. History will not judge him by his Nobel Prize alone. History will judge him by what he did when he held power. And I believe history will remember Muhammad Yunus as a man who created a fake image of peace abroad but destroyed peace at home; a man who spoke of empowering the poor but used power to protect himself; a man who claimed moral authority but presided over revenge, mob violence, institutional destruction, extremism, and the deaths of children. In the end, people will remember him as a selfish power monger who destroyed a peaceful, rising Bangladesh through meticulous design for his own benefit. Bangladesh will recover. The people will recover their country. But the damage he has done will remain a dark chapter in our history.

&nbsp;In a written interview with WION's Sidhant Sibal, the former Bangladesh prime minister said life away from the country ‘is never easy’ and that Bangladesh is in her thoughts ‘every moment’

WION Exclusive: Hasina says she reads father’s unfinished memoir while planning Dhaka return

Four members of a family have been found dead inside a locked house in the Rangpur area of Bangladesh, leaving the local community shocked and prompting a police investigation.

The deceased include a 65-year-old retired school teacher, his wife, their 25-year-old daughter and their 12-year-old son.

Police reportedly broke open the lock after neighbours alerted authorities about a foul smell coming from the house. The retired teacher was found dead on the roof, while his wife and daughter were discovered on the staircase leading to the roof. Their 12-year-old son was found under a bed.

Locals said the house had remained locked for several days and that the family had not been seen since Thursday.

Police reportedly found household items and furniture scattered throughout the home. An investigation has now been launched to determine what happened to the family.

Bangladesh Horror: Four Of Family Found Dead Inside Locked House In Rangpur

From political controversies to shocking incidents, here are the biggest stories trending across Beyond's social media platforms.

A former Pakistan-occupied Kashmir minister facing allegations in the UK secures a seat in the assembly, sparking fresh debate. Meanwhile, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's first international media address from New Delhi triggers political reactions in Dhaka.

Also trending is the tragic incident of a young footballer in Thailand who died after being struck by lightning during a storm, with visuals of the incident gaining global attention.

Stay updated with the stories dominating social media, digital platforms, and global conversations.

Pakistan Politician Controversy | Hasina's Address  | Thailand Football Tragedy | Social Media Buzz

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a senior Awami League leader, has claimed that Bangladesh is becoming "another Pakistan" while raising concerns over the alleged growing influence of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in the country.

Speaking virtually from the United States ahead of Sheikh Hasina's address at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in New Delhi, Joy alleged that foreign intelligence agencies now operate freely in Bangladesh. He also claimed that hundreds of individuals convicted on terrorism charges during the Awami League government have been released from prison.

Joy further alleged that extremist groups are becoming increasingly active and warned that the developments could pose serious security concerns for India and the wider region. His remarks come amid continuing political tensions following the change in Bangladesh's leadership.

Hasina's Son Warns Bangladesh Is Becoming 'Another Pakistan' | Raises ISI Concerns

India's Lok Sabha has passed the Anti-Paper Leak Bill following nationwide student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. The bill was cleared amid heated exchanges and loud protests from the opposition. BJP leaders also launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi after he alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had authorized police firing on student protesters.

Meanwhile, the conflict in West Asia continues to escalate as the United States and Saudi Arabia say they carried out strikes on an Iraqi militant alliance in response to recent attacks. In Japan, a powerful earthquake has claimed at least 13 lives, with rescue teams racing to find survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says she is determined to return to Bangladesh by December despite security concerns. Europe is also battling devastating wildfires, with thousands evacuated in Spain while French firefighters struggle to contain rapidly spreading blazes.

Indian stock markets ended sharply higher, with the Sensex surging nearly 900 points and the Nifty closing at 24,250, adding nearly ₹4 lakh crore to investor wealth despite rising oil prices linked to the US-Iran conflict.

Stay tuned for the latest national and international news updates.

India Passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill | Rahul Gandhi vs BJP | US-Saudi Strikes Iraq | Japan Earthquake 

Bangladesh is entering another major political transition as President Mohammad Shahabuddin prepares to resign before completing his five-year term. According to official sources, Shahabuddin's resignation comes amid increasing political pressure linked to his long association with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League government was removed during the 2024 student-led uprising. The move also comes as Sheikh Hasina has announced plans to return to Bangladesh later this year after being convicted by the country's war crimes tribunal—a verdict she strongly denies.

Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin resigns | political shake-up ahead of Hasina's return

Bangladesh is witnessing another major political transition as President Mohammad Shahabuddin is set to resign halfway through his five-year term. Reports suggest the government urged him to step down due to his long-standing association with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League government was ousted during the 2024 student-led uprising. The resignation comes just days after Sheikh Hasina announced plans to return to Bangladesh later this year despite her conviction by the country's war crimes tribunal, which she denies. Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed is expected to serve as interim president until a successor is elected.

Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin likely to resign | Sheikh Hasina return looms 

Bangladeshi-born author Taslima Nasrin is set to return to Kolkata nearly 18 years after she was forced to leave the city following violent protests in 2007. The internationally acclaimed writer will participate in an event focused on secularism, freedom of expression, and resistance against religious fundamentalism. The program, organized by secular and rationalist groups in West Bengal, will provide Nasrin an opportunity to present her literary work and discuss issues related to free speech and women's rights. Taslima Nasrin has lived in exile across Europe and the United States after facing threats in both Bangladesh and India over her writings, including her controversial novel Lajja

Taslima Nasrin to return to Kolkata after nearly two decades | Free speech debate rekindled

Reports of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's possible return have triggered fresh political tensions and international attention. The chief prosecutor of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has urged Hasina to surrender and warned against any action that could create instability. Hasina, who left Bangladesh in 2024 following widespread protests, has said she plans to return voluntarily with Awami League members. She continues to deny the charges against her, while authorities in Bangladesh have maintained legal action against the former leader.

Sheikh Hasina return row: Bangladesh tribunal demands surrender amid political tensions | Bangladesh

Founded in 1949, the Awami League led Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After coups and political turmoil, Sheikh Hasina revived the party and ruled from 2009–2024. Following her 2024 ouster, the party was banned and is not contesting elections.

Founded in 1949, the Awami League led Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After coups and political turmoil, Sheikh Hasina revived the party and ruled from 2009–2024. Following her 2024 ouster, the party was banned and is not contesting elections.

Why is Awami League not contesting Bangladesh elections? A look at rise and fall of Sheikh Hasina's party

Minorities in Bangladesh continue to face targeted attacks, with another incident involving a Hindu businessman coming to light. Sushen Chandra Sarkar, a 62-year-old Hindu trader, was killed by unidentified individuals in the Trishal area of Mymensingh district in northern Bangladesh. Sarkar, who owned a small business named Bhai Bhai Enterprise, was reportedly hacked to death inside his shop. The perpetrators allegedly closed the shutter and fled the scene.&nbsp;The incident comes just three days before Bangladesh’s general elections, scheduled for February 12, nearly 18 months after the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a violent uprising in August 2024 that ended her 15-year tenure.&nbsp;According to the Bangladesh police, the incident came to light after Sarkar, a resident of Southkanda village, failed to return home late on Monday night.&nbsp;“Sushen Chandra Sarkar was a businessman. When he didn’t return home at night, his son repeatedly called him but received no response. Eventually, the son went to his father’s shop and found him injured by criminals, with a head wound caused by a sharp weapon. He was taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead despite efforts to save him,” Hasan Israfil, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Trishal Circle, told ANI.&nbsp;Hasan added that the motive behind the killing remains unclear and that an investigation is underway. “We have not yet been able to determine the motive behind this murder. We are still trying to uncover the reason,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yunus-vows-peaceful-transfer-of-power-hails-upcoming-election-as-defining-moment-for-bangladesh-1770732143141">Yunus vows peaceful transfer of power, hails upcoming election as defining moment for Bangladesh</a>&nbsp;Under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who replaced Sheikh Hasina at the helm of Bangladesh’s caretaker government, radical elements have gained greater space amid a deteriorating security environment. The period has seen a rise in attacks against Hindu minorities.&nbsp;The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) has raised serious concerns in its latest report, warning that unfounded blasphemy accusations are increasingly being used to harass minorities, seize their property and, in some cases, kill them.&nbsp;According to the report, 73 false blasphemy-related cases were recorded across 32 districts between June and December 2025, with Hindu minorities emerging as the primary targets. The incidents involved beatings, lynchings and illegal occupation of property.&nbsp;The organisation said such allegations are often used as a pretext to settle personal vendettas or conceal disputes over land and other assets. The report documents each case in detail, listing victims’ names, locations and dates, and also includes the killing of Dipu Chandra Das.

The deceased was identified as Susen Chandra Sarkar, who owned Bhai Bhai Enterprise and hailed from Southkanda village.

Minorities in Bangladesh continue to face targeted attacks, with another incident involving a Hindu businessman coming to light. Sushen Chandra Sarkar, a 62-year-old Hindu trader, was killed by unidentified individuals in the Trishal area of Mymensingh district in northern Bangladesh. Sarkar, who owned a small business named Bhai Bhai Enterprise, was reportedly hacked to death inside his shop. The perpetrators allegedly closed the shutter and fled the scene. The incident comes just three days before Bangladesh’s general elections, scheduled for February 12, nearly 18 months after the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a violent uprising in August 2024 that ended her 15-year tenure. According to the Bangladesh police, the incident came to light after Sarkar, a resident of Southkanda village, failed to return home late on Monday night. “Sushen Chandra Sarkar was a businessman. When he didn’t return home at night, his son repeatedly called him but received no response. Eventually, the son went to his father’s shop and found him injured by criminals, with a head wound caused by a sharp weapon. He was taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead despite efforts to save him,” Hasan Israfil, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Trishal Circle, told ANI. Hasan added that the motive behind the killing remains unclear and that an investigation is underway. “We have not yet been able to determine the motive behind this murder. We are still trying to uncover the reason,” he said. Also Read: Yunus vows peaceful transfer of power, hails upcoming election as defining moment for Bangladesh Under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who replaced Sheikh Hasina at the helm of Bangladesh’s caretaker government, radical elements have gained greater space amid a deteriorating security environment. The period has seen a rise in attacks against Hindu minorities. The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) has raised serious concerns in its latest report, warning that unfounded blasphemy accusations are increasingly being used to harass minorities, seize their property and, in some cases, kill them. According to the report, 73 false blasphemy-related cases were recorded across 32 districts between June and December 2025, with Hindu minorities emerging as the primary targets. The incidents involved beatings, lynchings and illegal occupation of property. The organisation said such allegations are often used as a pretext to settle personal vendettas or conceal disputes over land and other assets. The report documents each case in detail, listing victims’ names, locations and dates, and also includes the killing of Dipu Chandra Das.

The deceased was identified as Susen Chandra Sarkar, who owned Bhai Bhai Enterprise and hailed from Southkanda village.

Another Hindu man killed in Bangladesh, trader hacked to death at workplace

This marks more than three decades since the country last held a constitutional referendum, highlighting the election’s significance for governance, legal reform, and political stability.

This marks more than three decades since the country last held a constitutional referendum, highlighting the election’s significance for governance, legal reform, and political stability.

Bangladesh Elections: Is Beijing set to strengthen its grip as India loses influence in Dhaka?

In another incident of atrocities against the minority community in Bangladesh, a Hindu man was burnt alive. Chanchal Bhowmik, 23, was sleeping inside his shop on Friday night (Jan 23) in Narsingdi when he was set on fire. According various media reports that cite witnesses, attacker shut the shop’s shutter, poured petrol, and set the building on fire.&nbsp;What was even more horrifying was that the perpetrator waited outside until Bhowmik was burnt to death and soon fled the scene.&nbsp;Bhowmik, who worked at a local garage in Narsingdi for the past six years was the sole bread earner for his ailing mother, a disabled elder brother, and a younger brother after his father passed away.&nbsp;Local residents and the garage owner say Bhowmik was a simple man with no enemity with anybody. His family members believe the killing was premeditated and driven by religious hatred.Several attacks against the minorities has come to the fore in Bangladesh, particularly after the regime change in the country that overthrew Sheikh Hasina and her party.<h2>Bangladesh government defends itself</h2>Despite the rise in killngs, the Bangladesh government has kept downplaying the atrocities done to the minority community, particularly the Hindus, in the country by saying that most of the cases were not driven by communal hatred. The chief adviser of interim Bangladesh government, Mohammad Yunus, last week said that out of the 645 incidents involving members of minority communities from January to December 2025, only 71 were communal in nature.&nbsp;The government reached to this number through verified First Information Reports, General Diaries, charge sheets, and investigation updates nationwide.&nbsp;A statement shared on the official X handle of the chief adviser read, “While every incident is a matter of concern, the data presents a clear and evidence-based picture: the overwhelming majority of cases were criminal in nature rather than communal, underscoring both the complexity of law-and-order challenges and the importance of grounding public discussion in facts rather than fear or misinformation."&nbsp;

Bhowmik, who worked at a local garage in Narsingdi for the past six years was the sole bread earner for his ailing mother, a disabled elder brother, and a younger brother.

In another incident of atrocities against the minority community in Bangladesh, a Hindu man was burnt alive. Chanchal Bhowmik, 23, was sleeping inside his shop on Friday night (Jan 23) in Narsingdi when he was set on fire. According various media reports that cite witnesses, attacker shut the shop’s shutter, poured petrol, and set the building on fire. What was even more horrifying was that the perpetrator waited outside until Bhowmik was burnt to death and soon fled the scene. Bhowmik, who worked at a local garage in Narsingdi for the past six years was the sole bread earner for his ailing mother, a disabled elder brother, and a younger brother after his father passed away. Local residents and the garage owner say Bhowmik was a simple man with no enemity with anybody. His family members believe the killing was premeditated and driven by religious hatred. Several attacks against the minorities has come to the fore in Bangladesh, particularly after the regime change in the country that overthrew Sheikh Hasina and her party. Bangladesh government defends itself Despite the rise in killngs, the Bangladesh government has kept downplaying the atrocities done to the minority community, particularly the Hindus, in the country by saying that most of the cases were not driven by communal hatred. The chief adviser of interim Bangladesh government, Mohammad Yunus, last week said that out of the 645 incidents involving members of minority communities from January to December 2025, only 71 were communal in nature. The government reached to this number through verified First Information Reports, General Diaries, charge sheets, and investigation updates nationwide. A statement shared on the official X handle of the chief adviser read, “While every incident is a matter of concern, the data presents a clear and evidence-based picture: the overwhelming majority of cases were criminal in nature rather than communal, underscoring both the complexity of law-and-order challenges and the importance of grounding public discussion in facts rather than fear or misinformation."

Bhowmik, who worked at a local garage in Narsingdi for the past six years was the sole bread earner for his ailing mother, a disabled elder brother, and a younger brother.

Another Hindu man burned alive in Bangladesh, family says murder premeditated, outcome of hatred

New Delhi: A viral video from Bangladesh has sparked widespread outrage after a local leader of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), the student platform that spearheaded the 2024 protests leading to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, appeared to boast about involvement in the killing of a Hindu police officer during the unrest.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the footage, filmed last week at a police station in Habiganj district, Mahdi Hasan, identified as the general secretary (or district member secretary) of SAD’s Habiganj unit, is seen arguing with a police officer over the arrest of an activist. During the exchange, Hasan reportedly boasted threateningly, “We burned down the Baniachong Police Station, we set SI Santosh on fire.” He was referring to the events on 5 August 2024, the day mass protests culminated in Hasina’s resignation and flight from the country.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/%E2%80%98It%20was%20a%20brilliant%20operation,%E2%80%99%20says%20Trump%20after%20US%20captures%20Maduro%20and%20his%20wife">‘It was a brilliant operation,’ says Trump after US captures Maduro and his wife</a>&nbsp;The remarks point to the violent attack on Baniachong Police Station in Habiganj, where Sub-Inspector Santosh, a Hindu officer, was killed by a mob. Many accounts indicate that the station was set ablaze amid escalating clashes. The body of Sub-Inspector Santosh was left on the road, desecrated and displayed publicly, before being recovered. Students Against Discrimination has responded by issuing a show-cause notice to Hasan, seeking his explanation for the remarks, which the group described as potentially breaching discipline.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-captured-maduro-and-his-wife-confirms-us-strikes-on-venezuela-1767432237551">Maduro kidnapped? Trump says ‘captured’ Venezuelan President and his wife, confirms US strikes</a>&nbsp;The 2024 protests, initially against civil service job quotas, evolved into a broader anti-Hasina government movement, resulting in hundreds of deaths nationwide. Post-uprising, human rights groups documented attacks on minorities, including Hindus, amid reports of vandalism, looting, and violence.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-strikes-venezuela-military-sites-caracas-aragua-1767430307213">US launches attack on Venezuela: Which sites are attacked?</a>&nbsp;The situation of minorities remains deplorable since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took charge after the toppling of the Hasina government in August of 2024 following mass protests. In December 2025, a surge in violence against Hindu minorities was seen in Bangladesh. A 27-year-old Hindu garment unit worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was beaten to death and his body set on fire by a mob in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. The incident occurred amid heightened communal tensions following the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi on 18 December.

The remarks point to the violent attack on Baniachong Police Station in Habiganj, where Sub-Inspector Santosh, a Hindu officer, was killed by a mob. The body of Sub-Inspector Santosh was left on the road, desecrated and displayed publicly, before being recovered.

New Delhi: A viral video from Bangladesh has sparked widespread outrage after a local leader of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), the student platform that spearheaded the 2024 protests leading to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, appeared to boast about involvement in the killing of a Hindu police officer during the unrest. In the footage, filmed last week at a police station in Habiganj district, Mahdi Hasan, identified as the general secretary (or district member secretary) of SAD’s Habiganj unit, is seen arguing with a police officer over the arrest of an activist. During the exchange, Hasan reportedly boasted threateningly, “We burned down the Baniachong Police Station, we set SI Santosh on fire.” He was referring to the events on 5 August 2024, the day mass protests culminated in Hasina’s resignation and flight from the country. Also Read: ‘It was a brilliant operation,’ says Trump after US captures Maduro and his wife The remarks point to the violent attack on Baniachong Police Station in Habiganj, where Sub-Inspector Santosh, a Hindu officer, was killed by a mob. Many accounts indicate that the station was set ablaze amid escalating clashes. The body of Sub-Inspector Santosh was left on the road, desecrated and displayed publicly, before being recovered. Students Against Discrimination has responded by issuing a show-cause notice to Hasan, seeking his explanation for the remarks, which the group described as potentially breaching discipline. Also Read: Maduro kidnapped? Trump says ‘captured’ Venezuelan President and his wife, confirms US strikes The 2024 protests, initially against civil service job quotas, evolved into a broader anti-Hasina government movement, resulting in hundreds of deaths nationwide. Post-uprising, human rights groups documented attacks on minorities, including Hindus, amid reports of vandalism, looting, and violence. Also Read: US launches attack on Venezuela: Which sites are attacked? The situation of minorities remains deplorable since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took charge after the toppling of the Hasina government in August of 2024 following mass protests. In December 2025, a surge in violence against Hindu minorities was seen in Bangladesh. A 27-year-old Hindu garment unit worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was beaten to death and his body set on fire by a mob in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. The incident occurred amid heightened communal tensions following the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi on 18 December.

The remarks point to the violent attack on Baniachong Police Station in Habiganj, where Sub-Inspector Santosh, a Hindu officer, was killed by a mob. The body of Sub-Inspector Santosh was left on the road, desecrated and displayed publicly, before being recovered.

Bangladesh student leader boasts of killing Hindu police officer during 2024 protests

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his condolences on the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Khaleda Zia passed away at the age of 80, after a prolonged illness, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced on Tuesday (Dec 30). She was admitted in Dhaka's Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was on ventilator support since December 11. In his message, PM Modi highlighted her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations. Sharing pictures of his meeting with Khaleda Zia in 2015, PM Modi said that her vision and legacy will continue to guide India-Bangladesh partnership.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss. As the… <a href="https://t.co/BLg6K52vak">pic.twitter.com/BLg6K52vak</a>&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/2005855695787507912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What was her role in development of Bangladesh-India ties?</h2>Though Khaleda Zia is credited for expansion of India-Bangladesh ties, her successor Sheikh Hasina is seen to be the friendlier one with New Delhi. Khaleda Zia maintained an overall cautious, and balanced Indian ties with that with China and Pakistan. Khaleda Zia positioned her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as a “protector of Bangladesh’s interests”, often at the backdrop of anti-India rhetoric.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-s-first-female-pm-khaleda-zia-dies-after-prolonged-illness-1767058663201">Bangladesh’s first female PM Khaleda Zia dies after prolonged illness</a>&nbsp;She opposed overland transit and connectivity links with India, both as PM and as Leader of the Opposition. As Prime Minister, she also refused India transit rights across Bangladeshi territory to the northeastern states, arguing it infringed on her country's security and sovereignty.&nbsp;She also argued Indian trucks' toll-free use of Bangladeshi roads was akin to 'slavery'. She opposed renewal of the 1972 Indo-Bangladesh Friendship Treaty. During Zia's tenure, India’s Farakka Barrage became the major reason of conflict between the two countries. As per reports, the barrage helps reduce silt, improves navigability around Kolkata Port and supplies fresh water to the city, but Zia maintained that it deprived Bangladesh of its rightful share of Ganges water. In 2007, she accused India of opening sluice gates to aggravate flooding in Bangladesh.&nbsp;Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/despite-killing-of-hindu-men-bangladesh-turns-focus-on-communal-violence-in-india-asks-new-delhi-to-conduct-impartial-probe-1766973194418">Despite killing of Hindu men, Bangladesh turns focus on communal violence in India, asks New Delhi to 'conduct impartial probe'</a>&nbsp;Khaleda Zia's foreign policy also became a reason for tensed India-Bangladesh relations. In 2002, Zia actively pursued defence cooperation with China. New Delhi, at that time, also accused the then BNP government of sheltering separatist groups operating in India’s northeastern states afterZia described insurgent outfits such as ULFA and NSCN as “freedom fighters.”&nbsp;Khaleda Zia's political fortune went downhill after Awami League won election in 2008. Zia opposed the Hasina government, calling her efforts “struggle for democracy.” She was placed under house arrest twice during movements she launched against the government. In 2018, she &nbsp;sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka in corruption cases. Her jail sentence was suspended on March 25, 2020, when the then Awami League government temporarily released her through an executive order amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on the condition that she remain in her Gulshan home and not leave the country. She was finally released after 2024 uprising led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;&nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi condoled the death of former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia, who died at 80 after a prolonged illness. Modi recalled her contributions to Bangladesh and India ties. A complex leader, Zia often opposed India but later sought pragmatic engagement with Delhi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his condolences on the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Khaleda Zia passed away at the age of 80, after a prolonged illness, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced on Tuesday (Dec 30). She was admitted in Dhaka's Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was on ventilator support since December 11. In his message, PM Modi highlighted her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations. Sharing pictures of his meeting with Khaleda Zia in 2015, PM Modi said that her vision and legacy will continue to guide India-Bangladesh partnership.

PM Narendra Modi condoled the death of former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia, who died at 80 after a prolonged illness. Modi recalled her contributions to Bangladesh and India ties. A complex leader, Zia often opposed India but later sought pragmatic engagement with Delhi.

PM Modi 'deeply saddened' on Khaleda Zia's demise: What was her role in development of Bangladesh-India ties

Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has passed away at the age of 80, after a prolonged illness, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced on Tuesday (Dec 30). Her personal physician on Sunday had said that she was in an "extremely critical" condition. She was admitted in Dhaka's Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was on ventilator support since December 11. In a statement, the BNP said that she passed away today at 6:00 a.m., shortly after the Fajr prayer. “We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul,” it wrote in a post on X. Zia's death comes at a time when Bangladesh is going through a political turmoil, with elections scheduled in February, 2026. Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in self-imposed exile and is being seen as a frontrunner for the upcoming polls.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6:00 a.m., shortly after the Fajr prayer. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un. We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul. <a href="https://t.co/KY2948UPD5">pic.twitter.com/KY2948UPD5</a>&mdash; Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP (@bdbnp78) <a href="https://twitter.com/bdbnp78/status/2005817539113161047?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/despite-killing-of-hindu-men-bangladesh-turns-focus-on-communal-violence-in-india-asks-new-delhi-to-conduct-impartial-probe-1766973194418">Despite killing of Hindu men, Bangladesh turns focus on communal violence in India, asks New Delhi to 'conduct impartial probe'</a><h2>Begum Khaleda Zia and her life</h2>Daughter of Iskandar Majumder and Taiyaba Majumder, Khaleda Zia was born on August 15, 1946. Her father had migrated to what was then West Pakistan following Partition from Jalpaiguri in India where he had run a tea business. The family originally hails from Feni, a southeastern district of the country. She studied at Dinajpur Government Girls High School and later at Surendranath College. In 1960, she married Ziaur Rahman. The first time she came close to power was when Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam became the President of Bangladesh in 1977.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-true-power-of-bangladesh-always-lies-in-its-people-when-united-khaleda-zia-s-son-tarique-rahman-s-unity-pitch-amid-violence-on-minorities-1766909860928">'True power of Bangladesh always lies in its people, when united': Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman's 'unity' pitch amid violence on minorities</a>&nbsp;In 1981, Ziaur Rahman was killed in a military coup. Khaleda Zia took over BNP and became the face of democratic movement in Bangladesh. She became the architect of forming a seven-party alliance in 1983 to put an end to dictatorship. She rejected the rigged election of 1986 and did not participate in the election while her rivals from Awami League, Jamaat-e-Islami and Communist Party of Bangladesh joined the election under Jatiya Party-led rule to endorse the government. She was detained seven times from 1983 to 1990. She made BNP's student front, Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal (JCD) a strong entity and they won 270 of 321 student unions across the country. In 1991, Khaleda Zia became the country's first woman prime minister through a free and fair general election on February 27 of the year. However in 1996, the party lost the polls, but won 116 seats to become the largest opposition in the parliament in the history of Bangladesh.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-matter-of-grave-concern-india-condemns-killing-of-hindu-youth-in-bangladesh-1766747138904">'Matter of grave concern': India condemns killing of Hindu youth in Bangladesh</a>&nbsp;Aiming to return to power, the BNP formed a four-party opposition alliance in 1999 with the Jatiya Party, the Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Islami Oikya Jote and launched several agitation programs against the ruling Awami League. Begum Khaleda Zia was re-elected in 2001. At that time, Forbes magazine ranked her at number 29 in 2005 in its list of the hundred most powerful women in the world. In 2006, she stepped down from office, passing power to a caretaker administration. In September 2007, she was arrested by Sheikh Hasina-led government on charges of corruption. Zia was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2018 for the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases. She was released from imprisonment in August 2024 after student uprising in the country led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government and she fled Bangladesh.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister Khaleda Zia died at 80 after a prolonged illness, BNP announced on Dec 30. A key figure in Bangladesh politics, she led the BNP, served twice as PM, and played a major role in the pro-democracy movement.

Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has passed away at the age of 80, after a prolonged illness, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced on Tuesday (Dec 30). Her personal physician on Sunday had said that she was in an "extremely critical" condition. She was admitted in Dhaka's Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was on ventilator support since December 11. In a statement, the BNP said that she passed away today at 6:00 a.m., shortly after the Fajr prayer. “We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul,” it wrote in a post on X. Zia's death comes at a time when Bangladesh is going through a political turmoil, with elections scheduled in February, 2026. Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in self-imposed exile and is being seen as a frontrunner for the upcoming polls.

Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister Khaleda Zia died at 80 after a prolonged illness, BNP announced on Dec 30. A key figure in Bangladesh politics, she led the BNP, served twice as PM, and played a major role in the pro-democracy movement.

Bangladesh’s first female PM Khaleda Zia dies after prolonged illness: From democracy icon to years in jail – Here's all about her

Amid unrest in Bangladesh, Sharif Osman Hadi's student body Inqilab Moncho&nbsp;has issued a 24-hours ultimatum to Muhammad Yunus-led government. Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Moncho&nbsp;, announced the ultimatum from Shahbagh in Dhaka on Sunday night (Dec 28). Continuing with its anti-India rhetoric, it also demanded suspension of work permits for Indians and filing of a case against India in an international court if former PM Sheikh Hasina is not extradited. The demand by Inqilab Moncho comes amid claims by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) that two prime suspects in Osman Hadi's murder fled to India via the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh district, which is connected to Meghalaya.&nbsp;&nbsp;"The trial of the entire killing squad – including the killer, the mastermind, the accomplices, those who aided the escape, and those who provided shelter – must be completed within the next 24 days," he said. It also said, “To protect the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh, the work permits of Indians must be suspended.” It also said that Bangladeshi government must file a case against India in an international court if it refuses to return the convicted asylum seekers, as well as identifying "collaborators of fascists" within the civil and military intelligence.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/despite-killing-of-hindu-men-bangladesh-turns-focus-on-communal-violence-in-india-asks-new-delhi-to-conduct-impartial-probe-1766973194418">Despite killing of Hindu men, Bangladesh turns focus on communal violence in India, asks New Delhi to 'conduct impartial probe'</a><h2>Bangladesh dismisses India's concerns about minority violence&nbsp;</h2>Meanwhile, Bangladesh foreign ministry dismissed India's concerns of targeted attacks on minorities in the country. The statement said, "We note that there are systematic attempts to portray the isolated incidents of criminal acts as systemic persecution of the Hindus and maliciously used to propagate anti-Bangladesh sentiments in different parts of India. We observe a selective and unfair bias in certain quarters, where isolated incidents are amplified, misrepresented and propagated to incite common Indians against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions and other establishments in India," the press statement said.&nbsp;Also Read:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-calls-attacks-on-minorities-isolated-criminal-acts-downplays-india-s-concerns-1766942635874">Bangladesh calls attacks on minorities ‘isolated criminal acts’, downplays India’s concerns</a>&nbsp;Moreover, foreign ministry spokesperson SM Mahbubul Alam expressed concern about disruption of religious events targeting Muslims, Christians and other minorities in India. Referring to disruption of various Christmas events in several parts of India, Alam said, “Dhaka is deeply concerned over incidents of brutal killings, mob violence, obstruction of elections, and disruption of religious events targeting Muslims, Christians, and other minority communities in India. Last week, incidents of violence against Christians were also reported across India during the celebration of the major religious festival Christmas. Alam said that Bangladesh is also deeply concerned about the communal violence committed against these communities. These incidents are viewed as hate crimes and targeted violence. We expect the concerned authorities in India to conduct impartial investigations into these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-true-power-of-bangladesh-always-lies-in-its-people-when-united-khaleda-zia-s-son-tarique-rahman-s-unity-pitch-amid-violence-on-minorities-1766909860928">'True power of Bangladesh always lies in its people, when united': Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman's 'unity' pitch amid violence on minorities</a>

Amid unrest in Bangladesh, Inqilab Moncho demanded a 24-day deadline to complete the trial over Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing and sought suspension of Indian work permits. Meanwhile, Dhaka rejected India’s minority violence concerns, calling incidents isolated and accused New Delhi of bias.

Amid unrest in Bangladesh, Sharif Osman Hadi's student body Inqilab Moncho has issued a 24-hours ultimatum to Muhammad Yunus-led government. Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inqilab Moncho , announced the ultimatum from Shahbagh in Dhaka on Sunday night (Dec 28). Continuing with its anti-India rhetoric, it also demanded suspension of work permits for Indians and filing of a case against India in an international court if former PM Sheikh Hasina is not extradited. The demand by Inqilab Moncho comes amid claims by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) that two prime suspects in Osman Hadi's murder fled to India via the Haluaghat border in Mymensingh district, which is connected to Meghalaya. "The trial of the entire killing squad – including the killer, the mastermind, the accomplices, those who aided the escape, and those who provided shelter – must be completed within the next 24 days," he said. It also said, “To protect the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh, the work permits of Indians must be suspended.” It also said that Bangladeshi government must file a case against India in an international court if it refuses to return the convicted asylum seekers, as well as identifying "collaborators of fascists" within the civil and military intelligence. Also Read: Despite killing of Hindu men, Bangladesh turns focus on communal violence in India, asks New Delhi to 'conduct impartial probe' Bangladesh dismisses India's concerns about minority violence Meanwhile, Bangladesh foreign ministry dismissed India's concerns of targeted attacks on minorities in the country. The statement said, "We note that there are systematic attempts to portray the isolated incidents of criminal acts as systemic persecution of the Hindus and maliciously used to propagate anti-Bangladesh sentiments in different parts of India. We observe a selective and unfair bias in certain quarters, where isolated incidents are amplified, misrepresented and propagated to incite common Indians against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions and other establishments in India," the press statement said. Also Read: Bangladesh calls attacks on minorities ‘isolated criminal acts’, downplays India’s concerns Moreover, foreign ministry spokesperson SM Mahbubul Alam expressed concern about disruption of religious events targeting Muslims, Christians and other minorities in India. Referring to disruption of various Christmas events in several parts of India, Alam said, “Dhaka is deeply concerned over incidents of brutal killings, mob violence, obstruction of elections, and disruption of religious events targeting Muslims, Christians, and other minority communities in India. Last week, incidents of violence against Christians were also reported across India during the celebration of the major religious festival Christmas. Alam said that Bangladesh is also deeply concerned about the communal violence committed against these communities. These incidents are viewed as hate crimes and targeted violence. We expect the concerned authorities in India to conduct impartial investigations into these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice." Also Read: 'True power of Bangladesh always lies in its people, when united': Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman's 'unity' pitch amid violence on minorities

Amid unrest in Bangladesh, Inqilab Moncho demanded a 24-day deadline to complete the trial over Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing and sought suspension of Indian work permits. Meanwhile, Dhaka rejected India’s minority violence concerns, calling incidents isolated and accused New Delhi of bias.

'Suspend work permits of Indians': Osman Hadi's student wing mentions India while issuing ultimatum to Bangladesh govt

Amid massive unrest in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has rejected India’s claims of minority violence in the country. According to the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the country’s official news agency, foreign ministry spokesperson SM Mahbubul Alam expressed concern about disruption of religious events targeting Muslims, Christians and other minorities in India. In a statement on Sunday (Dec 28), the government also dismissed India's concern as exaggerated despite the killing of two Hindu men - Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mandal. The Bangladeshi government called the killings “isolated incidents” and accused India of “selective and unfair bias.”&nbsp;&nbsp;In a press statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh called the remarks by New Delhi “inaccurate, exaggerated and misleading." Referring to disruption of various Christmas events in several parts of India, Alam said, “Dhaka is deeply concerned over incidents of brutal killings, mob violence, obstruction of elections, and disruption of religious events targeting Muslims, Christians, and other minority communities in India.Last week, incidents of violence against Christians were also reported across India during the celebration of the major religious festival Christmas.Alam said that Bangladesh is also deeply concerned about the communal violence committed against these communities. These incidents are viewed as hate crimes and targeted violence. We expect the concerned authorities in India to conduct impartial investigations into these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice."&nbsp;The statement further added, "We note that there are systematic attempts to portray the isolated incidents of criminal acts as systemic persecution of the Hindus and maliciously used to propagate anti-Bangladesh sentiments in different parts of India. We observe a selective and unfair bias in certain quarters, where isolated incidents are amplified, misrepresented and propagated to incite common Indians against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions and other establishments in India," the press statement said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-and-bangladesh-summon-envoys-as-diplomatic-tensions-escalate-1766502719204">India and Bangladesh summon envoys as diplomatic tensions escalate</a>&nbsp;New Delhi had earlier called out the violence on minorities in Bangladesh stating that “unremitting hostilities" carried out by extremist elements against minority communities, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists, are condemnable. According to the MEA, around 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities have been reported during the tenure of Bangladesh’s interim government. “We have issued statements earlier as well, rejecting the false narrative put out by Bangladesh," Jaiswal said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bangladesh-home-ministry-official-resigns-tariq-rahman-returns-amid-pressure-on-yunus-what-s-latest-from-bangladesh-1766652351022">Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tariq Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh</a><h2>Bangladesh in chaos</h2>Bangladesh is engulfed in renewed clashes after the killing of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Violence erupted in several cities, with his party Inqilab Moncho blaming Yunus-led government for his murder. Two Hindu men, Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal, have also been killed in the violence. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views and was reportedly part of 2024 student uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khaleda-zia-s-son-tarique-rahman-returns-to-bangladesh-after-17-years-in-exile-gets-grand-welcome-1766643942201">Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, gets grand welcome</a>&nbsp;Elections are scheduled in February 2026 in Bangladesh. Former PM Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has returned to the country after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman arrived in Dhaka on Dec 25 with his wife Dr Zubaid, daughter Zaima and pet cat Zeebu. The BNP is widely seen as an election frontrunner. His election pitch for a united Bangladesh comes amid pressure on Yunus government for killing of Hadi. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League has boycotted the polls.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bangladesh rejected India’s concerns over minority violence, calling them exaggerated and misleading. Dhaka said incidents involving Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mandal were criminal acts, not systemic persecution. India maintains violence against minorities remains a serious concern.

Amid massive unrest in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has rejected India’s claims of minority violence in the country. According to the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the country’s official news agency, foreign ministry spokesperson SM Mahbubul Alam expressed concern about disruption of religious events targeting Muslims, Christians and other minorities in India. In a statement on Sunday (Dec 28), the government also dismissed India's concern as exaggerated despite the killing of two Hindu men - Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mandal. The Bangladeshi government called the killings “isolated incidents” and accused India of “selective and unfair bias.” In a press statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh called the remarks by New Delhi “inaccurate, exaggerated and misleading." Referring to disruption of various Christmas events in several parts of India, Alam said, “Dhaka is deeply concerned over incidents of brutal killings, mob violence, obstruction of elections, and disruption of religious events targeting Muslims, Christians, and other minority communities in India. Last week, incidents of violence against Christians were also reported across India during the celebration of the major religious festival Christmas. Alam said that Bangladesh is also deeply concerned about the communal violence committed against these communities. These incidents are viewed as hate crimes and targeted violence. We expect the concerned authorities in India to conduct impartial investigations into these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice." The statement further added, "We note that there are systematic attempts to portray the isolated incidents of criminal acts as systemic persecution of the Hindus and maliciously used to propagate anti-Bangladesh sentiments in different parts of India. We observe a selective and unfair bias in certain quarters, where isolated incidents are amplified, misrepresented and propagated to incite common Indians against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions and other establishments in India," the press statement said. Also Read: India and Bangladesh summon envoys as diplomatic tensions escalate New Delhi had earlier called out the violence on minorities in Bangladesh stating that “unremitting hostilities" carried out by extremist elements against minority communities, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists, are condemnable. According to the MEA, around 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities have been reported during the tenure of Bangladesh’s interim government. “We have issued statements earlier as well, rejecting the false narrative put out by Bangladesh," Jaiswal said. Also Read: Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tariq Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh Bangladesh in chaos Bangladesh is engulfed in renewed clashes after the killing of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Violence erupted in several cities, with his party Inqilab Moncho blaming Yunus-led government for his murder. Two Hindu men, Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal, have also been killed in the violence. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views and was reportedly part of 2024 student uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. Also Read: Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, gets grand welcome Elections are scheduled in February 2026 in Bangladesh. Former PM Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has returned to the country after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman arrived in Dhaka on Dec 25 with his wife Dr Zubaid, daughter Zaima and pet cat Zeebu. The BNP is widely seen as an election frontrunner. His election pitch for a united Bangladesh comes amid pressure on Yunus government for killing of Hadi. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League has boycotted the polls.

Bangladesh’s interim government has rejected India’s concerns over minority violence, calling the killings of Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mandal isolated crimes. Dhaka accused New Delhi of bias and exaggeration, while India insists attacks on minorities remain serious and ongoing.

Despite killing of Hindu men, Bangladesh turns focus on communal violence in India, asks New Delhi to 'conduct impartial probe'

Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (Dec 28) dismissed India's concerns of targeted attacks on minorities in the country, saying that the statements made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) do not represent the ground reality. Dhaka made these claims despite recent incidents reported widely across the media and a report by The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) flagging a sharp rise in attacks against minorities, especially Hindus. "Our attention has been drawn to the recent comments made by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India regarding the situation of the minority communities in Bangladesh. His comments do not reflect the facts. The Government of Bangladesh categorically rejects any inaccurate, exaggerated, or motivated narratives that misrepresent Bangladesh's longstanding tradition of communal harmony," the statement from the Bangladesh foreign ministry read. Dhaka further alleged that "isolated incidents of criminal" acts are being portrayed as "systemic persecution of the Hindus" to propagate anti-Bangladesh sentiments in parts of India. "We observe a selective and unfair bias in certain quarters, where isolated incidents are amplified, misrepresented and propagated to incite common Indians against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions and other establishments in India," the statement added.&nbsp;Bangladesh's response comes after the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during the weekly briefing on Friday, said the “unremitting hostility” against minorities in Bangladesh was a “matter of grave concern”.<h2>Report flags sharp rise in attacks on Hindus</h2>The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) has raised serious concerns in its latest report, warning that unfounded blasphemy accusations are increasingly being used to harass minorities, seize their property and, in some cases, kill them.&nbsp;According to the report, 73 false blasphemy-related cases were recorded across 32 districts between June and December 2025, with Hindu minorities emerging as the primary targets. The incidents involved beatings, lynchings and illegal occupation of property.&nbsp;The organisation said such allegations are often deployed as a pretext to settle personal vendettas or conceal disputes over land and other assets. The report documents each case in detail, listing the victims’ names, locations and dates, and also includes the killing of Dipu Das. &nbsp;

The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry voiced concern over what it called a systematic effort to portray isolated criminal incidents as organised attacks against Hindus.

Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (Dec 28) dismissed India's concerns of targeted attacks on minorities in the country, saying that the statements made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) do not represent the ground reality. Dhaka made these claims despite recent incidents reported widely across the media and a report by The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) flagging a sharp rise in attacks against minorities, especially Hindus. "Our attention has been drawn to the recent comments made by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India regarding the situation of the minority communities in Bangladesh. His comments do not reflect the facts. The Government of Bangladesh categorically rejects any inaccurate, exaggerated, or motivated narratives that misrepresent Bangladesh's longstanding tradition of communal harmony," the statement from the Bangladesh foreign ministry read. Dhaka further alleged that "isolated incidents of criminal" acts are being portrayed as "systemic persecution of the Hindus" to propagate anti-Bangladesh sentiments in parts of India. "We observe a selective and unfair bias in certain quarters, where isolated incidents are amplified, misrepresented and propagated to incite common Indians against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions and other establishments in India," the statement added. Bangladesh's response comes after the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during the weekly briefing on Friday, said the “unremitting hostility” against minorities in Bangladesh was a “matter of grave concern”. Report flags sharp rise in attacks on Hindus The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) has raised serious concerns in its latest report, warning that unfounded blasphemy accusations are increasingly being used to harass minorities, seize their property and, in some cases, kill them. According to the report, 73 false blasphemy-related cases were recorded across 32 districts between June and December 2025, with Hindu minorities emerging as the primary targets. The incidents involved beatings, lynchings and illegal occupation of property. The organisation said such allegations are often deployed as a pretext to settle personal vendettas or conceal disputes over land and other assets. The report documents each case in detail, listing the victims’ names, locations and dates, and also includes the killing of Dipu Das.

The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry voiced concern over what it called a systematic effort to portray isolated criminal incidents as organised attacks against Hindus.

Bangladesh calls attacks on minorities ‘isolated criminal acts’, downplays India’s concerns

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman returned to his country 17 years after living in self-imposed exile. Expressing his gratitude to the people of Bangladesh, Rahman said that the strength of Bangladesh is in being united. His message came amid unrest in the country over the killing of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi and violence on Hindu minorities.&nbsp;Taking to social media, Rahman wrote, "Dear friends, sisters, and brothers across Bangladesh, Last Thursday was a day I will carry in my heart forever, the day I returned to the soil of my homeland after 17 long years. The warmth of your welcome, the sea of faces along the roads of Dhaka, and the prayers of millions are moments I will never forget. My deepest thanks to all. Words cannot fully express the respect and love my family and I feel for this homecoming. To our supporters who stood by us through every trial and never lost hope, your courage continues to give me strength. He also said, "To members of civil society, youth, professionals, farmers, workers, and citizens from all walks of life, thank you for reminding us that the true power of Bangladesh always lies in its people, when united…I appreciate the thoughtful reflections that emphasised democracy, multiparty coexistence, and the enduring will of the people. I am grateful for the warm welcome and for the hope expressed for a democratic, peaceful political culture, as well as the call to move beyond politics driven by vengeance. I take these words with humility and respect," he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bangladesh-home-ministry-official-resigns-tariq-rahman-returns-amid-pressure-on-yunus-what-s-latest-from-bangladesh-1766652351022">Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tariq Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh</a>&nbsp;Rahman further said that he was in the country with a plan to build an inclusive Bangladesh. "When I spoke yesterday, I spoke of a plan, not just a dream, for Bangladesh's future: a country where peace and dignity thrive, where every community feels secure and valued, and where every child can grow with hope. This is a plan for all Bangladeshis. A united, inclusive Bangladesh. A Bangladesh that moves forward together. Thank you for welcoming me home. May Allah bless Bangladesh and all of you, now and always," he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-extremists-are-using-yunus-sheikh-hasina-s-big-statement-amid-violent-unrest-in-bangladesh-killing-of-minorities-1766905009350">'Extremists are using Yunus...': Sheikh Hasina's BIG statement amid violent unrest in Bangladesh, killing of minorities</a>&nbsp;On Dec 25, when he returned, supporters gathered in large numbers to welcome the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader. Addressing his supporters, the aspiring prime minister and son of former PM Khaleda Zia, invoked Martin Luther King Jr and paid his tributes to radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was killed recently by unidentified gunmen. Speaking about the upcoming elections, Rahman said that whosoever will be chosen after the polls, will uphold the justice system. Attempting to strike a sympathetic chord with the supporters, Rahman recalled his ailing mother Khaleda Zia and said, “As a son, my heart and soul is beside my mother near her hospital bed, but I have a duty. We have a duty. We will work together to build our Bangladesh.” He also recalled the 2024 uprising that forced former PM Sheikh Hasina to flee the country and said, “We liberated Bangladesh in 1971. We liberated it again in 2024.” Referring to Martin Luther's 'I have a dream' speech, Rahman said, "I have a plan, for the people of my country." "We need to safeguard peace in Bangladesh at any cost. Be it men, women, or children, upholding the peace and dignity of Bangladesh should always be the first priority. We will all work together and build our desired Bangladesh," said Rahman. Soon after his speech, he rushed to the hospital to meet his mother at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, thanking citizens for their support and calling for unity and an inclusive future. His homecoming comes amid political unrest

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman returned to his country 17 years after living in self-imposed exile. Expressing his gratitude to the people of Bangladesh, Rahman said that the strength of Bangladesh is in being united. His message came amid unrest in the country over the killing of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi and violence on Hindu minorities. Taking to social media, Rahman wrote, "Dear friends, sisters, and brothers across Bangladesh, Last Thursday was a day I will carry in my heart forever, the day I returned to the soil of my homeland after 17 long years. The warmth of your welcome, the sea of faces along the roads of Dhaka, and the prayers of millions are moments I will never forget. My deepest thanks to all. Words cannot fully express the respect and love my family and I feel for this homecoming. To our supporters who stood by us through every trial and never lost hope, your courage continues to give me strength. He also said, "To members of civil society, youth, professionals, farmers, workers, and citizens from all walks of life, thank you for reminding us that the true power of Bangladesh always lies in its people, when united…I appreciate the thoughtful reflections that emphasised democracy, multiparty coexistence, and the enduring will of the people. I am grateful for the warm welcome and for the hope expressed for a democratic, peaceful political culture, as well as the call to move beyond politics driven by vengeance. I take these words with humility and respect," he said. Also Read: Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tariq Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh Rahman further said that he was in the country with a plan to build an inclusive Bangladesh. "When I spoke yesterday, I spoke of a plan, not just a dream, for Bangladesh's future: a country where peace and dignity thrive, where every community feels secure and valued, and where every child can grow with hope. This is a plan for all Bangladeshis. A united, inclusive Bangladesh. A Bangladesh that moves forward together. Thank you for welcoming me home. May Allah bless Bangladesh and all of you, now and always," he said. Also Read: 'Extremists are using Yunus...': Sheikh Hasina's BIG statement amid violent unrest in Bangladesh, killing of minorities On Dec 25, when he returned, supporters gathered in large numbers to welcome the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader. Addressing his supporters, the aspiring prime minister and son of former PM Khaleda Zia, invoked Martin Luther King Jr and paid his tributes to radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was killed recently by unidentified gunmen. Speaking about the upcoming elections, Rahman said that whosoever will be chosen after the polls, will uphold the justice system. Attempting to strike a sympathetic chord with the supporters, Rahman recalled his ailing mother Khaleda Zia and said, “As a son, my heart and soul is beside my mother near her hospital bed, but I have a duty. We have a duty. We will work together to build our Bangladesh.” He also recalled the 2024 uprising that forced former PM Sheikh Hasina to flee the country and said, “We liberated Bangladesh in 1971. We liberated it again in 2024.” Referring to Martin Luther's 'I have a dream' speech, Rahman said, "I have a plan, for the people of my country." "We need to safeguard peace in Bangladesh at any cost. Be it men, women, or children, upholding the peace and dignity of Bangladesh should always be the first priority. We will all work together and build our desired Bangladesh," said Rahman. Soon after his speech, he rushed to the hospital to meet his mother at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, thanking citizens for their support and calling for unity and an inclusive future. His homecoming comes amid political unrest

'True power of Bangladesh always lies in its people, when united': Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman's 'unity' pitch amid violence on minorities

In an update on the health of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, her personal physician has said that she is in an "extremely critical" condition. Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman is undergoing treatment at Dhaka's Evercare Hospital since November 23. She has been on ventilator support since December 11. In a statement, Dr AZM Zahid said, "It cannot be said that her condition has improved. She is passing through an extremely critical phase. If, by Allah’s mercy, she can get through this critical period, we may hear something positive." Dr AZM Zahid also said that Zia is on ventilator support “to give rest to her lungs and other vital organs.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-extremists-are-using-yunus-sheikh-hasina-s-big-statement-amid-violent-unrest-in-bangladesh-killing-of-minorities-1766905009350">'Extremists are using Yunus...': Sheikh Hasina's BIG statement amid violent unrest in Bangladesh, killing of minorities</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has returned to Bangladesh on Dec 25 after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman arrived in Dhaka with his wife Dr Zubaid, daughter Zaima and pet cat Zeebu. The BNP is widely seen as an election frontrunner. Addressing the supporters after he returned to Bangladesh, Tarique pitched for a new Bangladesh that is united. He paid tributes to Osman Hadi and called 2024 July uprising against Hasina and her government as “Liberation of Bangladesh.” Referring to Martin Luther's 'I have a dream' speech, Rahman said, "I have a plan, for the people of my country." "We need to safeguard peace in Bangladesh at any cost. Be it men, women, or children, upholding the peace and dignity of Bangladesh should always be the first priority. We will all work together and build our desired Bangladesh," said Rahman. &nbsp;Soon after the speech, he visited his mother at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bangladesh-home-ministry-official-resigns-tariq-rahman-returns-amid-pressure-on-yunus-what-s-latest-from-bangladesh-1766652351022">Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tariq Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh</a><h2>Bangladesh in chaos</h2>Bangladesh is engulfed in renewed clashes after the killing of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Violence erupted in several cities, with his party Inqilab Moncho blaming Yunus-led government for his murder. Two Hindu men, Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal, have also been killed in the violence. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views and was reportedly part of 2024 student uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia is in an “extremely critical” condition and on ventilator support at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital, her physician said. Her health update comes amid political turmoil, Tarique Rahman’s return, and renewed violence across Bangladesh.

In an update on the health of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, her personal physician has said that she is in an "extremely critical" condition. Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman is undergoing treatment at Dhaka's Evercare Hospital since November 23. She has been on ventilator support since December 11. In a statement, Dr AZM Zahid said, "It cannot be said that her condition has improved. She is passing through an extremely critical phase. If, by Allah’s mercy, she can get through this critical period, we may hear something positive." Dr AZM Zahid also said that Zia is on ventilator support “to give rest to her lungs and other vital organs.” Also Read: 'Extremists are using Yunus...': Sheikh Hasina's BIG statement amid violent unrest in Bangladesh, killing of minorities Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has returned to Bangladesh on Dec 25 after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman arrived in Dhaka with his wife Dr Zubaid, daughter Zaima and pet cat Zeebu. The BNP is widely seen as an election frontrunner. Addressing the supporters after he returned to Bangladesh, Tarique pitched for a new Bangladesh that is united. He paid tributes to Osman Hadi and called 2024 July uprising against Hasina and her government as “Liberation of Bangladesh.” Referring to Martin Luther's 'I have a dream' speech, Rahman said, "I have a plan, for the people of my country." "We need to safeguard peace in Bangladesh at any cost. Be it men, women, or children, upholding the peace and dignity of Bangladesh should always be the first priority. We will all work together and build our desired Bangladesh," said Rahman. Soon after the speech, he visited his mother at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara. Also Read: Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tariq Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh Bangladesh in chaos Bangladesh is engulfed in renewed clashes after the killing of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Violence erupted in several cities, with his party Inqilab Moncho blaming Yunus-led government for his murder. Two Hindu men, Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal, have also been killed in the violence. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views and was reportedly part of 2024 student uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia is in an “extremely critical” condition and on ventilator support at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital, her physician said. Her health update comes amid political turmoil, Tarique Rahman’s return, and renewed violence across Bangladesh.

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia ‘extremely critical’, son Tarique Rahman visits her in hospital

Amid unrest in Bangladesh, members of Hindu communities protested in London on Saturday (Dec 28) demanding justice for minorities. The protesters gathered outside Bangladesh High Commission, played Bangladeshi national anthem 'Amar Shonar Bangla' and demanded end of violence against minorities. They also demanded accountability from Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh interim government over killing of two Hindu men in the violence that erupted after the murder of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The protesters included members from Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha (BHAS) UK under the banner 'Justice for Hindus,' who chanted 'Hanuman Chalisa' and raised slogans of 'Hindu Lives Matter' during the protest.&nbsp;Speaking to ANI, "Our enthusiastic and respectful audience included students, professionals, parents with children, elderly activists and interfaith leaders, all united in urging protection of minority rights and accountability for human rights abuses," BHAS UK said in a statement. “The minority communities of Bangladesh are facing long-standing concerns over discrimination, violence, murder and demographic decline,” BHAS UK statement added.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Indian and Bangladeshi Hindu communities in London protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London against the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh <a href="https://t.co/1mhdiaRi1j">pic.twitter.com/1mhdiaRi1j</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2004934377348964694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bangladesh-home-ministry-official-resigns-tariq-rahman-returns-amid-pressure-on-yunus-what-s-latest-from-bangladesh-1766652351022">Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tariq Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh</a><h2>Bangladesh in chaos</h2>Bangladesh is engulfed in renewed clashes after the killing of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Violence erupted in several cities, with his party Inqilab Moncho blaming Yunus-led government for his murder. Two Hindu men, Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal, have also been killed in the violence. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views and was reportedly part of 2024 student uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khaleda-zia-s-son-tarique-rahman-returns-to-bangladesh-after-17-years-in-exile-gets-grand-welcome-1766643942201">Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, gets grand welcome</a>&nbsp;Elections are scheduled in February 2026 in Bangladesh. Former PM Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has returned to the country after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman arrived in Dhaka on Dec 25 with his wife Dr Zubaid, daughter Zaima and pet cat Zeebu. The BNP is widely seen as an election frontrunner. His election pitch for a united Bangladesh comes amid pressure on Yunus government for killing of Hadi. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League has boycotted the polls.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-and-bangladesh-summon-envoys-as-diplomatic-tensions-escalate-1766502719204">India and Bangladesh summon envoys as diplomatic tensions escalate</a>

Hindu groups protested outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London, demanding protection of minorities and accountability from the Yunus-led interim government as violence spreads across Bangladesh ahead of the 2026 elections.

Amid unrest in Bangladesh, members of Hindu communities protested in London on Saturday (Dec 28) demanding justice for minorities. The protesters gathered outside Bangladesh High Commission, played Bangladeshi national anthem 'Amar Shonar Bangla' and demanded end of violence against minorities. They also demanded accountability from Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh interim government over killing of two Hindu men in the violence that erupted after the murder of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The protesters included members from Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha (BHAS) UK under the banner 'Justice for Hindus,' who chanted 'Hanuman Chalisa' and raised slogans of 'Hindu Lives Matter' during the protest. Speaking to ANI, "Our enthusiastic and respectful audience included students, professionals, parents with children, elderly activists and interfaith leaders, all united in urging protection of minority rights and accountability for human rights abuses," BHAS UK said in a statement. “The minority communities of Bangladesh are facing long-standing concerns over discrimination, violence, murder and demographic decline,” BHAS UK statement added.

Hindu groups protested outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London, demanding protection of minorities and accountability from the Yunus-led interim government as violence spreads across Bangladesh ahead of the 2026 elections.

'Hindu lives matter' slogans and Hanuman Chalisa: Massive protest in London against violence on minorities in Bangladesh - WATCH

Amid massive chaos and unrest in Bangladesh, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the student uprising that led to her ouster was orchestrated insurrection by radicals. Hasina slammed Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus and said that he is glorifying “terrorists” who led bloodshed in 2024. She also blamed Yunus of radicalising institutions domestically. Her statement comes amid unrest in Bangladesh and attack on minority Hindus.&nbsp; Speaking to News 18, Hasina said that the 2014 student uprising was "an orchestrated insurrection by radicals rather than a peaceful student movement,” adding that it turned into “a violent mob” that burned police stations and destroyed state infrastructure. She also added, "In the initial days, we allowed students to protest freely and accepted their demands.” She said that leaving Bangladesh was to prevent bloodshed, “It was not an easy decision to leave… but it was a decision I took to minimise any further loss of life.” Hasina insisted that Bangladesh must restore democracy, ”For me to return, Bangladesh must restore constitutional governance and the rule of law,” including lifting “the unlawful ban on the Awami League” and holding “genuinely free elections.” Doubling down his attack on Yunus, Hasina said that Yunus is not taking accountability, “Yunus immediately dissolved this inquiry, released convicted terrorists, and granted blanket immunity to those he now glorifies as ‘July warriors.' He has placed extremists in cabinet positions. You cannot claim democratic legitimacy while banning the party elected nine times by the people." Hasina also warned that extremists are using Yunus “to project an acceptable international face while they radicalise our institutions domestically.” She also criticised closer ties with Islamabad, saying Yunus’s approach shows “a desperate search for any international validation.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bangladesh-home-ministry-official-resigns-tariq-rahman-returns-amid-pressure-on-yunus-what-s-latest-from-bangladesh-1766652351022">Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tariq Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh</a><h2>Bangladesh in chaos</h2>Bangladesh is engulfed in renewed clashes after the killing of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Violence erupted in several cities, with his party Inqilab Moncho blaming Yunus-led government for his murder. Two Hindu men, Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal, have also been killed in the violence. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views and was reportedly part of 2024 student uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khaleda-zia-s-son-tarique-rahman-returns-to-bangladesh-after-17-years-in-exile-gets-grand-welcome-1766643942201">Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, gets grand welcome</a>&nbsp;Elections are scheduled in February 2026 in Bangladesh. Former PM Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has returned to the country &nbsp;after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman arrived in Dhaka on Dec 25 with his wife Dr Zubaid, daughter Zaima and pet cat Zeebu. The BNP is widely seen as an election frontrunner. His election pitch for a united Bangladesh comes amid pressure on Yunus government for killing of Hadi. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League has boycotted the polls.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-and-bangladesh-summon-envoys-as-diplomatic-tensions-escalate-1766502719204">India and Bangladesh summon envoys as diplomatic tensions escalate</a>

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has said that the 2024 unrest was a radical-led insurrection, not a student movement. She has once again accused the Yunus-led interim regime of lacking legitimacy, empowering extremists, dismantling probes, banning Awami League, and endangering democracy.

Amid massive chaos and unrest in Bangladesh, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the student uprising that led to her ouster was orchestrated insurrection by radicals. Hasina slammed Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus and said that he is glorifying “terrorists” who led bloodshed in 2024. She also blamed Yunus of radicalising institutions domestically. Her statement comes amid unrest in Bangladesh and attack on minority Hindus. Speaking to News 18, Hasina said that the 2014 student uprising was "an orchestrated insurrection by radicals rather than a peaceful student movement,” adding that it turned into “a violent mob” that burned police stations and destroyed state infrastructure. She also added, "In the initial days, we allowed students to protest freely and accepted their demands.” She said that leaving Bangladesh was to prevent bloodshed, “It was not an easy decision to leave… but it was a decision I took to minimise any further loss of life.” Hasina insisted that Bangladesh must restore democracy, ”For me to return, Bangladesh must restore constitutional governance and the rule of law,” including lifting “the unlawful ban on the Awami League” and holding “genuinely free elections.” Doubling down his attack on Yunus, Hasina said that Yunus is not taking accountability, “Yunus immediately dissolved this inquiry, released convicted terrorists, and granted blanket immunity to those he now glorifies as ‘July warriors.' He has placed extremists in cabinet positions. You cannot claim democratic legitimacy while banning the party elected nine times by the people." Hasina also warned that extremists are using Yunus “to project an acceptable international face while they radicalise our institutions domestically.” She also criticised closer ties with Islamabad, saying Yunus’s approach shows “a desperate search for any international validation.” Also Read: Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tariq Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh Bangladesh in chaos Bangladesh is engulfed in renewed clashes after the killing of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Violence erupted in several cities, with his party Inqilab Moncho blaming Yunus-led government for his murder. Two Hindu men, Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal, have also been killed in the violence. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views and was reportedly part of 2024 student uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. Also Read: Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, gets grand welcome Elections are scheduled in February 2026 in Bangladesh. Former PM Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman has returned to the country after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman arrived in Dhaka on Dec 25 with his wife Dr Zubaid, daughter Zaima and pet cat Zeebu. The BNP is widely seen as an election frontrunner. His election pitch for a united Bangladesh comes amid pressure on Yunus government for killing of Hadi. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League has boycotted the polls. Also Read: India and Bangladesh summon envoys as diplomatic tensions escalate

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has said that the 2024 unrest was a radical-led insurrection, not a student movement. She has once again accused the Yunus-led interim regime of lacking legitimacy, empowering extremists, dismantling probes, banning Awami League, and endangering democracy.

'Extremists are using Yunus...': Sheikh Hasina's BIG statement amid violent unrest in Bangladesh, killing of minorities

During the chaos, one of Samrat's associates, identified as Mohammad Selim, failed to escape and was arrested by the police. From his possession, authorities recovered two firearms, a pistol and a locally made "one-shooter" gun, corroborating the claim that the group was armed.

During the chaos, one of Samrat's associates, identified as Mohammad Selim, failed to escape and was arrested by the police. From his possession, authorities recovered two firearms, a pistol and a locally made "one-shooter" gun, corroborating the claim that the group was armed.

Criminal Kingpin or Mob victim? Who is Amrit Mondal, who was beaten to death in Bangladesh's Rajbari

The lynching of a 29-year-old Hindu man, identified as Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, by locals in the Pangsha Upazila of Rajbari on Wednesday (December 24) night, and the reporting of the incident in the media has drawn a response from the Bangladesh government. The Bangladesh government issued a statement on the issue and said that misleading information was being disseminated on social media and various news outlets regarding the tragic killing on Wednesday night in the Pangsha police station area of Rajbari.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yearender-2025-the-year-dissent-and-angst-triggered-mass-protests-worldwide-1766674340518">Yearender 2025: The year dissent and angst triggered mass protests worldwide</a>&nbsp;The statement, citing police information and preliminary investigation, said that the Hindu man’s lynching was in no way a communal attack but was a result of a “violent situation triggered by extortion and terrorist activities”.&nbsp;It alleged that the deceased individual was a top terrorist named Amrit Mondal alias Somrat, who had arrived in the area to demand extortion money and lost his life during a clash with agitated local people.&nbsp;The government claimed in its statement that Mondal was an accused in multiple serious cases, including a murder case filed in 2023 and extortion cases, with outstanding arrest warrants against him in these matters.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yearender-2025-the-year-of-wars-tariff-turmoil-and-climate-disasters-1766568207775">Yearender 2025: The year of wars, tariff turmoil, and climate disasters</a>&nbsp;Police arrested his associate Salim from the scene, along with a foreign pistol and one pipe gun, the statement added. Three cases have already been filed in connection with this incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;The government said it strongly condemns the killing and added that it makes it unequivocally clear that it does not support any form of extrajudicial activity, mob lynching, or violence in any manner.&nbsp;Strict legal action will be taken against everyone directly or indirectly involved in this incident, it said, adding that the law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigation into the mob lynching incident.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-yunus-govt-destroyed-bangladesh-giving-security-to-goons-terrorists-former-mp-1766665361993">‘Yunus govt destroyed Bangladesh, giving security to goons, terrorists’: Former MP</a>&nbsp;The government said that it is also deeply concerned to observe that a certain quarter is attempting to portray the incident as a communal attack by highlighting the religious identity of the deceased person, which is “completely baseless and motivated by ulterior motives”.&nbsp;Such misinformation can destroy social harmony and deteriorate the law and order situation, it added.&nbsp;“The government calls upon all concerned to act responsibly and urges everyone to refrain from spreading misleading, provocative, and communal statements. The government remains firmly committed to establishing the rule of law and justice,” the statement added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-targeted-for-criticising-asim-munir-imran-khan-s-aide-assaulted-in-uk-nose-and-jaw-broken-1766661743804">‘Targeted for criticising Asim Munir’: Imran Khan’s aide assaulted in UK; nose and jaw broken</a>&nbsp;Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony—the government will sternly suppress any attempt to undermine the peace and stability of the country, the statement read.

The statement said that the Hindu man’s lynching was in no way a communal attack but was a result of a “violent situation triggered by extortion and terrorist activities”. It alleged that the deceased, Amrit Mondal, alias Somrat, was a top terrorist.

The lynching of a 29-year-old Hindu man, identified as Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, by locals in the Pangsha Upazila of Rajbari on Wednesday (December 24) night, and the reporting of the incident in the media has drawn a response from the Bangladesh government. The Bangladesh government issued a statement on the issue and said that misleading information was being disseminated on social media and various news outlets regarding the tragic killing on Wednesday night in the Pangsha police station area of Rajbari. Also Read: Yearender 2025: The year dissent and angst triggered mass protests worldwide The statement, citing police information and preliminary investigation, said that the Hindu man’s lynching was in no way a communal attack but was a result of a “violent situation triggered by extortion and terrorist activities”. It alleged that the deceased individual was a top terrorist named Amrit Mondal alias Somrat, who had arrived in the area to demand extortion money and lost his life during a clash with agitated local people. The government claimed in its statement that Mondal was an accused in multiple serious cases, including a murder case filed in 2023 and extortion cases, with outstanding arrest warrants against him in these matters. Also Read: Yearender 2025: The year of wars, tariff turmoil, and climate disasters Police arrested his associate Salim from the scene, along with a foreign pistol and one pipe gun, the statement added. Three cases have already been filed in connection with this incident. The government said it strongly condemns the killing and added that it makes it unequivocally clear that it does not support any form of extrajudicial activity, mob lynching, or violence in any manner. Strict legal action will be taken against everyone directly or indirectly involved in this incident, it said, adding that the law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigation into the mob lynching incident. Also Read: ‘Yunus govt destroyed Bangladesh, giving security to goons, terrorists’: Former MP The government said that it is also deeply concerned to observe that a certain quarter is attempting to portray the incident as a communal attack by highlighting the religious identity of the deceased person, which is “completely baseless and motivated by ulterior motives”. Such misinformation can destroy social harmony and deteriorate the law and order situation, it added. “The government calls upon all concerned to act responsibly and urges everyone to refrain from spreading misleading, provocative, and communal statements. The government remains firmly committed to establishing the rule of law and justice,” the statement added. Also Read: ‘Targeted for criticising Asim Munir’: Imran Khan’s aide assaulted in UK; nose and jaw broken Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony—the government will sternly suppress any attempt to undermine the peace and stability of the country, the statement read.

The statement said that the Hindu man’s lynching was in no way a communal attack but was a result of a “violent situation triggered by extortion and terrorist activities”. It alleged that the deceased, Amrit Mondal, alias Somrat, was a top terrorist.

Amrit Mondal death: Bangladesh govt issues statement, claims he was a ‘top terrorist’ and...

Awami League Joint General Secretary and former MP, Bahauddin Nasim, has said that the Mohd Yunus government is destroying Bangladesh as there has been no import or export and the factories are closing down. He also targeted Yunus for letting hate and communal hatred spread among the people and giving security to goons and criminals. Targeting the interim government led by Yunus, Nasim said, “They forcefully hijacked the elected government. During the Hasina government, the GDP exceeded 8. Now, there is no import or export. Factories are closing. They totally destroyed Bangladesh by spreading hate and communal hatred among the common people and the police. Many police officers have also been murdered, like Dipu Das.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Kolkata, West Bengal | On the Bangladesh unrest, Joint General Secretary and former MP of Bangladesh Awami League, Bahauddin Nasim, says, &quot;They forcefully hijacked the elected government. During the Hasina government, the GDP exceeded 8. Now, there is no import or export.… <a href="https://t.co/uHCCbKnsTL">pic.twitter.com/uHCCbKnsTL</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2003860458445635682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-targeted-for-criticising-asim-munir-imran-khan-s-aide-assaulted-in-uk-nose-and-jaw-broken-1766661743804">‘Targeted for criticising Asim Munir’: Imran Khan’s aide assaulted in UK; nose and jaw broken</a>&nbsp;“This government is giving security to the goons, criminals. The government said no case will be registered against these criminals. They are threatening judges and advocates. The Md Yunus government are giving security to terrorists,” Nasim alleged while speaking to news agency ANI.Meanwhile, Saddam Hussain, President of the Bangladesh Students League, the student wing of the now-banned Bangladesh Awami League, accused the Yunus government of blaming India for whatever is happening in Bangladesh.&nbsp;“Whatever happens in Bangladesh, the current illegal government is trying to blame the Indian government... He (Muhammad Yunus) is chanting the anti-India rhetoric so that he can appease the fundamental, extremist groups, and cover up his domestic failure.”Referring to the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, Hussain said, “The case of Dipu Chandra Das, who was attacked and burned alive, has become the new normal in Bangladesh... The government played a role in those cases of minority persecution. A sort of Talibanisation is going on in Bangladesh right now.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yearender-2025-the-year-of-wars-tariff-turmoil-and-climate-disasters-1766568207775">Yearender 2025: The year of wars, tariff turmoil, and climate disasters</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | On the Bangladesh crisis, Saddam Hussain, President of the Bangladesh Students League, the student wing of the now-banned Bangladesh Awami League, says, &quot;There is a situation of total lawlessness in Bangladesh... The mob is actually ruling Bangladesh... The government is… <a href="https://t.co/h81laMhXdj">pic.twitter.com/h81laMhXdj</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2004120985109500233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;“There is a situation of total lawlessness in Bangladesh... The mob is actually ruling Bangladesh... The government is facilitating this in every way possible. Extremists were openly meeting with international terrorist organisations, Pakistan-backed organisations, and those who were previously convicted of heinous attacks,” he added.“What Osman Hadi’s brother said paints a sad but accurate picture of the current situation... The government is responsible for all the things that happened inside Bangladesh.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-pm-s-adviser-rejects-claims-of-pia-being-sold-at-less-value-says-new-owners-to-run-airline-from-april-1766588987477">Pakistan PM‘s adviser rejects claims of PIA being sold at less value, says new owners to run airline from April</a>&nbsp;“Bangladesh is in a constitutional and security crisis right now. What is needed most in Bangladesh is to establish a neutral government and hold a free, fair, and inclusive election. There is also rising extremism. So the return of the BNP acting chairman will not solve the problem of Bangladesh. It will facilitate the one-sided elections... It is actually a backdoor deal between the illegal government and the BNP-Jamaat alliance to facilitate one-sided elections; the question of democracy will be out of the syllabus again,” he told ANI.

During the Hasina government, the GDP exceeded 8. Now, there is no import or export. Factories are closing. They totally destroyed Bangladesh by spreading hate and communal hatred among the common people. Many police officers have also been murdered, like Dipu Das, said Bahauddin Nasim.

Awami League Joint General Secretary and former MP, Bahauddin Nasim, has said that the Mohd Yunus government is destroying Bangladesh as there has been no import or export and the factories are closing down. He also targeted Yunus for letting hate and communal hatred spread among the people and giving security to goons and criminals. Targeting the interim government led by Yunus, Nasim said, “They forcefully hijacked the elected government. During the Hasina government, the GDP exceeded 8. Now, there is no import or export. Factories are closing. They totally destroyed Bangladesh by spreading hate and communal hatred among the common people and the police. Many police officers have also been murdered, like Dipu Das.”

During the Hasina government, the GDP exceeded 8. Now, there is no import or export. Factories are closing. They totally destroyed Bangladesh by spreading hate and communal hatred among the common people. Many police officers have also been murdered, like Dipu Das, said &nbsp;.

‘Yunus govt destroyed Bangladesh, giving security to goons, terrorists’: Former MP

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman returned to his country 17 years after living in self-imposed exile. Supporters gathered in large numbers to welcome the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader. Soon after his arrival in Dhaka, his wife Zubaida and daughter Zaima headed to House No. 196 on Gulshan Avenue, while the BNP leader, who stepped into the Bangladeshi soil barefoot, headed to the venue of his rally in a red and green bulletproof bus. Addressing his supporters, the aspiring prime minister and son of former PM Khaleda Zia, invoked Martin Luther King Jr and paid his tributes to radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was killed recently by unidentified gunmen.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">তারেক রহমানকে বরণ করে নিতে সকাল থেকেই জনসমূদ্র ঢাকা মহানগরী | 25 Dec 2025 <a href="https://t.co/sTFVj8pnj4">https://t.co/sTFVj8pnj4</a>&mdash; Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP (@bdbnp78) <a href="https://twitter.com/bdbnp78/status/2004012912864800931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Tarique Rahman pays tribute to Osman Hadi</h2>Speaking about the upcoming elections, Rahman said that whosoever will be chosen after the polls, will uphold the justice system. Attempting to strike a sympathetic chord with the supporters, Rahman recalled his ailing mother Khaleda Zia and said, “As a son, my heart and soul is beside my mother near her hospital bed, but I have a duty. We have a duty. We will work together to build our Bangladesh.” He also recalled the 2024 uprising that forced former PM Sheikh Hasina to flee the country and said, “We liberated Bangladesh in 1971. We liberated it again in 2024.” Referring to Martin Luther's 'I have a dream' speech, Rahman said, "I have a plan, for the people of my country." "We need to safeguard peace in Bangladesh at any cost. Be it men, women, or children, upholding the peace and dignity of Bangladesh should always be the first priority. We will all work together and build our desired Bangladesh," said Rahman. Soon after his speech, he rushed to the hospital to meet his mother at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara.&nbsp;Upon his arrival, Rahman wrote on Facebook: “Finally in Sylhet, on the soil of Bangladesh!” Chief Adviser of the interim government, Shafiqul Alam, said that Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladeshi government is making "every effort" to ensure adequate security for Tarique Rahman.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bangladesh-home-ministry-official-resigns-tariq-rahman-returns-amid-pressure-on-yunus-what-s-latest-from-bangladesh-1766652351022">Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tariq Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh</a>&nbsp;Rahman has returned to Bangladesh amid renewed chaos in the country after the killing of Hadi and a Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das. He is seen as a frontrunner for the Prime Minister's post ahead of keenly watched elections scheduled for February 2026. Meanwhile, interim leader Muhammad Yunus is facing massive pressure over the killing of Hadi. Amid the unrest special assistant to the Chief Adviser of the interim government on Home Affairs, Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, resigned from his position. Hadi's brother has accused the current dispensation of killing his brother and has warned that they too will be forced to flee the country, similar to Hasina, if his brither's perpetrators are not brought to justice.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khaleda-zia-s-son-tarique-rahman-returns-to-bangladesh-after-17-years-in-exile-gets-grand-welcome-1766643942201">Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, gets grand welcome</a>

After returning to Bangladesh after 17 years, BNP acting chief Tarique Rahman addressed a rally in Dhaka, repeatedly calling for peace and stability. He is set to visit his ailing mother Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital, as party supporters gathered in large numbers.

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman returned to his country 17 years after living in self-imposed exile. Supporters gathered in large numbers to welcome the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader. Soon after his arrival in Dhaka, his wife Zubaida and daughter Zaima headed to House No. 196 on Gulshan Avenue, while the BNP leader, who stepped into the Bangladeshi soil barefoot, headed to the venue of his rally in a red and green bulletproof bus. Addressing his supporters, the aspiring prime minister and son of former PM Khaleda Zia, invoked Martin Luther King Jr and paid his tributes to radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was killed recently by unidentified gunmen.

After returning to Bangladesh after 17 years, BNP acting chief Tarique Rahman addressed a rally in Dhaka, repeatedly calling for peace and stability. He is set to visit his ailing mother Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital, as party supporters gathered in large numbers.

'Liberation of 2024, sacrifice by Hadi, and hope for unity': Tarique Rahman pitches 'new Bangladesh' plan in first speech after arrival

Bangladesh faces mounting political turmoil as a home ministry official resigned amid unrest over activist Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing. Violence claimed another life, while Muhammad Yunus faces pressure to reshuffle his interim government. BNP leader Tarique Rahman’s return adds to election tension.

Bangladesh faces mounting political turmoil as a home ministry official resigned amid unrest over activist Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing. Violence claimed another life, while Muhammad Yunus faces pressure to reshuffle his interim government. BNP leader Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh

Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tarique Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh

China on Tuesday (Dec 23) issued a statement in favour of elections in Bangladesh amid recent uproar in the country over the murder of student leader and radical activist Osman Hadi. Chinese foreign ministry said that it backs “national solidarity” in Bangladesh, and believed that all sectors in the country would properly advance after a free and fair elections. Tensions in Bangladesh reignited after Hadi was killed by unidentified gunmen last week. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: “China wishes Bangladesh safe, stable and smooth parliamentary elections. We believe that various sectors of Bangladesh will properly advance important political agendas and uphold national solidarity and stability."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-bangladesh-russian-envoy-to-bangladesh-urges-dhaka-delhi-de-escalation-1766549960737">India-Bangladesh: Russian Envoy to Bangladesh Urges Dhaka-Delhi De-escalation</a><h2>Chaos in Bangladesh</h2>Radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka by unidentified men. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment, however he succumbed to injuries. His death was announced by Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Dec 18. Soon after, violence erupted in several cities of Bangladesh. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views. Sporadic violence expanded into nationwide unrest with protesters taking to streets and vandalising cultural centres. A Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by an angry pro-Hadi mob in Mymensingh.&nbsp;&nbsp;By Dec 20, protests escalated into anti-India demonstration with residence of Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram being pelted with stones. The killing of Dipu Chandra paved way for counter protest against the Hadi's radical outfit. On Dec 22, another leader of National Citizen Party (NCP) was shot by miscreants in Khulna. He was identified Motaleb Shikder, Khulna divisional chief of NCP and central organiser of NCP Sramik Shakti. However, he is out of danger.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bangladesh-on-boil-again-hadi-dipu-chandra-s-murder-mob-on-streets-greater-bangladesh-controversy-and-upcoming-polls-what-s-happening-1766483660223">Bangladesh on boil again: Hadi, Dipu Chandra's murder, mob on streets, Greater B'desh map controversy and upcoming polls - What's happening</a><h2>India-Bangladesh ties</h2>India and Bangladesh have engaged in a fresh round of mutual diplomatic protests, summoning each other's envoys amid sharply deteriorating bilateral ties. On Tuesday (December 23), the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh's High Commissioner to New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, for the second time in a week, as inflammatory comments have been made by Bangladeshi politicians against India. The move came shortly after Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry called in India's High Commissioner Pranay Verma to express concern over the security of Bangladeshi diplomatic missions and personnel in India. The latest Indian protest focused on threats to its diplomatic posts, particularly after an attack on the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong (Chattogram). Protesters hurled stones at the mission's premises during unrest triggered by the death of Hadi.

China urged stability and smooth elections in Bangladesh amid violent unrest following Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing. Protests, attacks on media, minority lynching and anti-India demonstrations have heightened tensions, prompting diplomatic exchanges between Dhaka and New Delhi.

China on Tuesday (Dec 23) issued a statement in favour of elections in Bangladesh amid recent uproar in the country over the murder of student leader and radical activist Osman Hadi. Chinese foreign ministry said that it backs “national solidarity” in Bangladesh, and believed that all sectors in the country would properly advance after a free and fair elections. Tensions in Bangladesh reignited after Hadi was killed by unidentified gunmen last week. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said: “China wishes Bangladesh safe, stable and smooth parliamentary elections. We believe that various sectors of Bangladesh will properly advance important political agendas and uphold national solidarity and stability." Also Read: India-Bangladesh: Russian Envoy to Bangladesh Urges Dhaka-Delhi De-escalation Chaos in Bangladesh Radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka by unidentified men. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment, however he succumbed to injuries. His death was announced by Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Dec 18. Soon after, violence erupted in several cities of Bangladesh. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views. Sporadic violence expanded into nationwide unrest with protesters taking to streets and vandalising cultural centres. A Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by an angry pro-Hadi mob in Mymensingh. By Dec 20, protests escalated into anti-India demonstration with residence of Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram being pelted with stones. The killing of Dipu Chandra paved way for counter protest against the Hadi's radical outfit. On Dec 22, another leader of National Citizen Party (NCP) was shot by miscreants in Khulna. He was identified Motaleb Shikder, Khulna divisional chief of NCP and central organiser of NCP Sramik Shakti. However, he is out of danger. Also Read: Bangladesh on boil again: Hadi, Dipu Chandra's murder, mob on streets, Greater B'desh map controversy and upcoming polls - What's happening India-Bangladesh ties India and Bangladesh have engaged in a fresh round of mutual diplomatic protests, summoning each other's envoys amid sharply deteriorating bilateral ties. On Tuesday (December 23), the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh's High Commissioner to New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, for the second time in a week, as inflammatory comments have been made by Bangladeshi politicians against India. The move came shortly after Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry called in India's High Commissioner Pranay Verma to express concern over the security of Bangladeshi diplomatic missions and personnel in India. The latest Indian protest focused on threats to its diplomatic posts, particularly after an attack on the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong (Chattogram). Protesters hurled stones at the mission's premises during unrest triggered by the death of Hadi.

China urged stability and smooth elections in Bangladesh amid violent unrest following Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing. Protests, attacks on media, minority lynching and anti-India demonstrations have heightened tensions, prompting diplomatic exchanges between Dhaka and New Delhi.

China wants 'national solidarity' in Bangladesh amid violent unrest, anti-India protest; says THIS about February polls

The brother of radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi, who was killed by unidentified gunmen in Dhaka, has issued a big warning to Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh government. Sharif Omar bin Hadi, Osman Hadi's brother, said that the interim government cannot avoid responsibility for his murder and will ultimately face trial for failing to protect him. In a big warning to Yunus-led government, he said that the leaders will have to flee the country like their predecessors, if they fail to bring perpetrators to justice. Omar bin Hadi was referring to the 2024 July uprising after which former PM Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Wasn’t Hadi killed by the Awami League? Then why is Hadi’s brother now saying that Yunus’s government killed Hadi to delay the election? Based solely on propaganda spread by <a href="https://twitter.com/ZulkarnainSaer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZulkarnainSaer</a> , so many <a href="https://twitter.com/albd1971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@albd1971</a> activists were arrested, and their homes and business establishments… <a href="https://t.co/wImPimtw2P">pic.twitter.com/wImPimtw2P</a>&mdash; Redowan Ibne Saiful (@Redowanshakil) <a href="https://twitter.com/Redowanshakil/status/2003487425016844476?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What Hadi's brother alleged?</h2>Speaking at a programme in Dhaka’s Shahbagh on Tuesday (Dec 23), Omar bin Hadi said, &nbsp;"You all got Osman Hadi killed and you all are the one who are trying to use this as a reason to disrupt the scheduled elections. You cannot escape responsibility and you will face a trial eventually. Those who considered this Bangladesh as their property have been forced to flee. Similarly, if you do not take action, you will also be forced to flee Bangladesh one day." He also went on to claim, “You murdered Osman Hadi on the instruction of an agency...on a nation but remember Osman Hadi did not bow down to them. Had he bowed down to them, he would have led his life similar to the dishonest politicians &nbsp;who spend their life in peace. He has shown us how to fight for freedom.”<h2>Chaos in Bangladesh</h2>Radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka by unidentified men. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment, however he succumbed to injuries. His death was announced by Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Dec 18. Soon after, violence erupted in several cities of Bangladesh. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views and was a key figure in the July 2024 uprising that forced former PM Sheikh Hasina to flee the country. Sporadic violence expanded into nationwide unrest with protesters taking to streets and vandalising cultural centres. A Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh.&nbsp;&nbsp;By Dec 20, protests escalated into anti-India demonstration with residence of Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram being pelted with stones. The killing of Dipu Chandra paved way for counter protest against the Hadi's radical outfit. On Dec 22, another leader of National Citizen Party (NCP) was shot by miscreants in Khulna. He was identified Motaleb Shikder, Khulna divisional chief of NCP and central organiser of NCP Sramik Shakti. However, he is out of danger.

Sharif Osman Hadi’s brother blamed Bangladesh’s interim government for failing to protect the slain Inqilab Mancha leader, warning it cannot escape accountability. He demanded swift arrests, said the murder aimed to derail elections, and vowed justice amid nationwide unrest and protests.

The brother of radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi, who was killed by unidentified gunmen in Dhaka, has issued a big warning to Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh government. Sharif Omar bin Hadi, Osman Hadi's brother, said that the interim government cannot avoid responsibility for his murder and will ultimately face trial for failing to protect him. In a big warning to Yunus-led government, he said that the leaders will have to flee the country like their predecessors, if they fail to bring perpetrators to justice. Omar bin Hadi was referring to the 2024 July uprising after which former PM Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country.

Sharif Osman Hadi’s brother blamed Bangladesh’s interim government for failing to protect the slain Inqilab Mancha leader, warning it cannot escape accountability. He demanded swift arrests, said the murder aimed to derail elections, and vowed justice amid nationwide unrest and protests.

Another uprising in Bangladesh soon? Osman Hadi’s brother accuses Yunus govt of murder, warns 'You'll also have to flee if...'

Days after radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi's death, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has claimed that his killer had been granted bail twice by senior Jamaat leader and prominent lawyer Shishir Manir, including once just months before Hadi was shot. Hadi, who was associated with the Inqilab Manch and linked to the July 2024 uprising, was a vocal critic of India and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. His death has ignited tensions between India and Bangladesh. It has also fanned anti-Hindu and anti-India protest in Bangladesh.<h2>Osman Hadi's killer has links to Jamaat-e-Islami?</h2>Speaking during a televised panel discussion on Ekushey Television, BNP executive committee member Nilofer Chowdhury Moni said, “The man who fired at Hadi — we need to look at his background. Who bailed him out twice? Shishir Manir did. I am saying this responsibly,” she said. She also questioned how the accused repeatedly secured bail.<h2>Chaos in Bangladesh</h2>Radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka by unidentified men. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment, however he succumbed to injuries. His death was announced by Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Dec 18. Soon after, violence erupted in several cities of Bangladesh. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views. Sporadic violence expanded into nationwide unrest with protesters taking to streets and vandalising cultural centres. On Dec 19, a Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by an angry pro-Hadi mob in Mymensingh. By Dec 20, protests escalated into anti-India demonstration with residence of Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram being pelted with stones. The killing of Dipu Chandra paved way for counter protest against the Hadi's radical outfit. On Dec 22, another leader of National Citizen Party (NCP) was shot by miscreants in Khulna. He was identified Motaleb Shikder, Khulna divisional chief of NCP and central organiser of NCP Sramik Shakti. However, he is out of danger.&nbsp;&nbsp;After Hadi was shot, Dhaka summoned the Indian High Commissioner to demand cooperation in the assassination investigation and to protest former PM Sheikh Hasina's activities. After Hadi's death, protests were held outside Indian missions in Bangladesh. New Delhi summoned Bangladesh's envoy to register a strong demarche over security threats to Indian missions. It also expressed concern over the lynching of Dip[u Chandra Das. Counter protest was held in New Delhi outside Bangladeshi mission. Bangladesh summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma. Soon after, India suspended visa services indefinitely at its application centers in Chittagong, Rajshahi, and Khulna citing security concerns. &nbsp;Dhaka suspended visa services at its High Commission in New Delhi and its missions in Tripura and Siliguri, citing "unavoidable circumstances" related to security. Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain warned that Dhaka would consider "scaling back its presence" in India if the diplomatic situation continues to deteriorate.&nbsp;

After activist Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing, Bangladesh’s BNP alleged his accused shooter had links to Jamaat-e-Islami and received bail twice from senior Jamaat lawyer Shishir Manir. The incident triggered nationwide unrest, anti-India protests, and a diplomatic standoff

Days after radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi's death, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has claimed that his killer had been granted bail twice by senior Jamaat leader and prominent lawyer Shishir Manir, including once just months before Hadi was shot. Hadi, who was associated with the Inqilab Manch and linked to the July 2024 uprising, was a vocal critic of India and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. His death has ignited tensions between India and Bangladesh. It has also fanned anti-Hindu and anti-India protest in Bangladesh. Osman Hadi's killer has links to Jamaat-e-Islami? Speaking during a televised panel discussion on Ekushey Television, BNP executive committee member Nilofer Chowdhury Moni said, “The man who fired at Hadi — we need to look at his background. Who bailed him out twice? Shishir Manir did. I am saying this responsibly,” she said. She also questioned how the accused repeatedly secured bail. Chaos in Bangladesh Radical activist Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in Dhaka by unidentified men. He was airlifted to Singapore for treatment, however he succumbed to injuries. His death was announced by Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Dec 18. Soon after, violence erupted in several cities of Bangladesh. Hadi, the founder of Inqilab Mancha, a radical student group of Dhaka University, was known for his anti-India views. Sporadic violence expanded into nationwide unrest with protesters taking to streets and vandalising cultural centres. On Dec 19, a Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by an angry pro-Hadi mob in Mymensingh. By Dec 20, protests escalated into anti-India demonstration with residence of Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram being pelted with stones. The killing of Dipu Chandra paved way for counter protest against the Hadi's radical outfit. On Dec 22, another leader of National Citizen Party (NCP) was shot by miscreants in Khulna. He was identified Motaleb Shikder, Khulna divisional chief of NCP and central organiser of NCP Sramik Shakti. However, he is out of danger. After Hadi was shot, Dhaka summoned the Indian High Commissioner to demand cooperation in the assassination investigation and to protest former PM Sheikh Hasina's activities. After Hadi's death, protests were held outside Indian missions in Bangladesh. New Delhi summoned Bangladesh's envoy to register a strong demarche over security threats to Indian missions. It also expressed concern over the lynching of Dip[u Chandra Das. Counter protest was held in New Delhi outside Bangladeshi mission. Bangladesh summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma. Soon after, India suspended visa services indefinitely at its application centers in Chittagong, Rajshahi, and Khulna citing security concerns. Dhaka suspended visa services at its High Commission in New Delhi and its missions in Tripura and Siliguri, citing "unavoidable circumstances" related to security. Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain warned that Dhaka would consider "scaling back its presence" in India if the diplomatic situation continues to deteriorate.

After activist Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing, Bangladesh’s BNP alleged his accused shooter had links to Jamaat-e-Islami and received bail twice from senior Jamaat lawyer Shishir Manir. The incident triggered nationwide unrest, anti-India protests, and a diplomatic standoff&nbsp;

Osman Hadi shooter got bail twice with help of Jamaat leader? New claims emerge amid chaos in Bangladesh

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