New Delhi, January 17, 2026 — Hasan Mahmud, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh’s Awami League and former Foreign Minister, issued a stern warning in New Delhi, emphasizing that excluding the Awami League — the party that spearheaded Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 — from the upcoming elections will only exacerbate the nation’s political instability. His remarks came during a Meet the Press session at the Press Club of India, organized by the International Crimes Research Foundation (ICRF).
Exclusion of Awami League Threatens Stability
Mahmud delivered a passionate statement, explaining that any elections without the participation of the Awami League, which has historically been instrumental in shaping Bangladesh’s democracy, would not reflect the true will of the people. He firmly asserted that excluding the Awami League would lead to what he called an “arranged election,” incapable of restoring stability to the country.
“Barring the party that led the war of independence of Bangladesh and ruled the country several times will mean that the upcoming election will be nothing but an arranged one,” Mahmud stressed. “No stability will return to Bangladesh through such a process.”
He expressed grave doubts over the scheduled election date of February 12, 2026, questioning whether the elections would even take place as promised by the Bangladesh Election Commission. Mahmud underlined that while the Awami League had been banned from contesting in the election, the party had launched a global campaign to expose what it claims are severe violations of human rights in Bangladesh, particularly against religious minorities such as Hindus.
Awami League’s Campaign Against Human Rights Violations
As part of its international campaign, Mahmud disclosed that the Awami League has been tirelessly highlighting the atrocities committed under the interim government, particularly the violence against minority communities. The Awami League has also focused on alleged killings, property destruction, and the forced displacement of Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh.
“We have been working hard to bring the international community’s attention to the severe human rights abuses that have taken place in Bangladesh over the past 16 months,” Mahmud noted. “The ongoing persecution of religious minorities, particularly Hindus, is a matter of grave concern. The international community must act.”
The former Foreign Minister also made it clear that the Awami League had organized multiple outreach events to raise awareness about these abuses. He confirmed that another such media event would soon be held in India, signaling the party’s intent to keep pressure on both the Bangladeshi and international authorities.
India’s Historical Support for Awami League
A significant portion of Mahmud’s address focused on the longstanding and deep-rooted ties between the Awami League and India. Mahmud reminded the audience of India’s crucial role in Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971, when the Indian government provided refuge to millions of Bangladeshis fleeing the brutal Pakistani crackdown. He underscored that these historical ties still shape the relationship between the two countries today.
“India was there for us in 1971, not just with military support, but with open hearts and arms. The people of India, especially the ordinary citizens, showed immense solidarity with us during our fight for independence,” Mahmud said. He also praised India for offering full diplomatic protocol to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her recent visit to the country, a sign of continued bilateral goodwill.
He dismissed allegations by the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, which claimed that India had been supporting Hasina’s political activities. Mahmud rejected the accusation, explaining that India’s support for the Awami League was not tied to any particular political leader but was rather rooted in the shared values of democracy and freedom.
“We had good relations, and we still enjoy good relations with India,” Mahmud asserted. “India’s support for us is not something new. In fact, it goes back to the Liberation War of 1971, and it continues to this day.”
Allegations of Human Rights Violations
Mahmud also strongly criticized the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) report on the July-August 2024 unrest in Bangladesh, which had claimed nearly 1,400 deaths during the period of unrest. According to Mahmud, the report failed to present an accurate or complete picture of the situation on the ground, particularly the violence perpetrated by the interim government.
“The UN report selectively used evidence, ignored key testimonies, and did not take into account the full scope of the violence, including the killing of police officers and political activists,” Mahmud said. “The report failed to adequately address the context of the violence or the political persecution carried out by the interim government.”
He specifically criticized the UNHRC for failing to include testimony from Awami League leaders or senior police officials. He claimed that despite the Awami League’s repeated attempts to engage with the UN’s fact-finding mission, their perspective was largely ignored. Mahmud further alleged that the mission relied heavily on biased sources from the interim government’s supporters.
“Even the Home Adviser to the interim government had questioned the origin of bullets used in attacks on civilians, pointing out that they did not match police-issue weapons,” Mahmud revealed. “Yet, this evidence was overlooked by the UN report.”
The Role of India in Bangladesh’s Political Stability
Mahmud also touched upon recent comments from political analysts regarding India’s territorial concerns, particularly in relation to the northeastern states. He emphasized that if Bangladesh were to pose a threat to India’s territorial integrity or security, India would not hesitate to take necessary measures.
“If any threat emanates from Dhaka, particularly regarding the northeastern states, India will act,” Mahmud warned. “The security of the northeastern states is a top priority for India, and any instability in Bangladesh can have serious consequences for India.”
Radical Elements and the Law and Order Situation
At the press conference, Mahmud was accompanied by former Education Minister Mohibul Chowdhury Nowfel, who addressed the growing threat posed by radical elements released from prisons following the fall of Hasina’s government.
Nowfel spoke about the deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh, citing a “culture of impunity” that has made it increasingly difficult for law enforcement agencies to maintain control. He revealed that many police officers had been killed in retaliation attacks, which, according to him, reflected the growing radicalization in the country.
“The police have lost a significant number of colleagues in revenge attacks. This culture of impunity has made it very difficult for law enforcement to function effectively,” Nowfel said.
Awami League’s Long-Term Vision and Future Plans
Despite the difficult circumstances, Mahmud reiterated that the Awami League would continue its political struggle, with the ultimate goal of returning to power under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. He also reaffirmed that the party would persist with its global advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the human rights violations in Bangladesh.
“Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, the Awami League will definitely return to power,” Mahmud concluded. “We believe in the power of the people. We will continue to fight for democracy and for the rights of our citizens.”
Meet the Press Event Highlights Awami League’s Global Campaign
The Meet the Press event in New Delhi marked a significant moment for the Awami League, as it was the first time since the ousting of Prime Minister Hasina in August 2024 that senior party leaders had publicly addressed the media. The gathering was seen as a strategic move by the party to increase international attention to its cause and highlight the growing concerns regarding human rights abuses in Bangladesh under the interim government.
The event was organized by the ICRF, which has also been involved in presenting a legal rebuttal to the OHCHR’s report on the 2024 unrest. The rebuttal, prepared by the ICRF’s legal team, criticized the UN report’s methodology, arguing that it failed to adequately consider evidence from the Awami League and other key actors in Bangladesh.
A Call for International Support
The Awami League’s global outreach efforts, including the New Delhi press conference, are part of the party’s ongoing push to bring international attention to the political and human rights situation in Bangladesh. The message from Mahmud and Nowfel is clear: excluding the Awami League from the election will not resolve the political crisis; instead, it will deepen the instability in the country.
As Bangladesh approaches its February 2026 election, the Awami League’s call for justice, human rights, and democratic processes remains at the forefront of its advocacy efforts. Whether the international community will take meaningful action to address the situation in Bangladesh remains to be seen.
