Former Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused the United States of playing a role in her removal from power, alleging that she could have remained in office had she been willing to compromise the country’s sovereignty.
Hasina, who is currently residing in India, made the startling claims in a statement quoted by the Economic Times. According to the former prime minister, she was pressured to surrender the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allow increased US influence in the Bay of Bengal.
“I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal,” Hasina said and urged her countrymen not to be manipulated by radical elements.
The small three-square-kilometre Saint Martin Island, located near the southern tip of Bangladesh, has long been a point of contention in the region.
Hasina, who resigned from her post on August 5 amid growing student protests against the controversial quota system for government jobs, expressed deep sorrow over the violence and unrest that followed her decision.
“I resigned so that I did not have to see the procession of dead bodies. They wanted to come to power over the dead bodies of students, but I did not allow it,” the former prime minister stated.
Hasina was reportedly airlifted from the capital on a military aircraft and is now under protection at an undisclosed location in India.
She expressed her grief over the violence, stating: “My heart cries upon receiving news that many leaders have been killed, workers are being harassed, and their homes are subjected to vandalism and arson.”
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While addressing the student protests, the Bangladesh PM clarified that her previous comments had been distorted to incite unrest.
“I have never called you Razakars. My words were distorted to incite you. Conspirators have taken advantage of your innocence and used you to destabilise the nation,” she said and urged the students to consider the full context of her statements.
In Bangladesh, the term “Razakar” is described as traitors. The term originated during the 1971 war when, according to the country’s history, a group of armed men supported the Pakistan army. The group was called “Razakar”.
