Dhaka, Bangladesh – February 4, 2025 – Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is on borrowed time and must step down. Labeling the Yunus government as illegal, Hasina asserted, “Every illegal act of this government will be judged. They will be punished for taking away people’s rights and food. Let me tell you, that day is not far away.”
Speaking during the weekly discussion of the online platform ‘A-Team’ on Sunday night, Hasina addressed Awami League party workers and outlined the movement program scheduled until February 18. “You don’t have to take any risks. You will go to the common people. Our workers who have lost their jobs, our farmers who are not getting fertilizer and are crying out, you will go to them. You will go to the underprivileged. You will find out about them. You have to take to the streets with them,” she urged.
The event was conducted by Sushanta Dasgupta, the general secretary of Bangabandhu Engineering Council, and featured researcher and influencer Ami Rahman Pial. Awami League leaders, activists, and supporters participated in the discussion, posing questions about the party’s future. In response, Hasina announced a blockade on February 16 and a nationwide strike on February 18.
Hasina emphasized the need to coordinate with the Hindu community regarding the blockade scheduled on a day of puja, to ensure that religious rituals are not disrupted. Reflecting on the previous year’s mass uprising that led to her losing power, Hasina criticized the student movement that demanded an end to the quota system, questioning, “What movement did the students make? Why don’t children get their textbooks on time today?”
She called on party workers to protest against injustices and remain united. “The programs we have given must be successful because Yunus has completely failed to run the state,” she stated. Hasina accused the chief advisor of looting in the name of governance and questioned the authority of the Yunus government to ban the Chhatra League.
Highlighting the challenges faced by the common people during the Yunus government’s rule, Hasina claimed, “Today, there is no arrangement for the common people’s income. With a day’s earnings, a day laborer can’t even afford one meal. It was not like this during the Awami League’s time.”
She lamented the plight of farmers, workers, and journalists, pointing out that almost a thousand journalists have lost their jobs, some are imprisoned, and their accreditation cards have been confiscated. Condemning the recent attacks on the police, Hasina described the persecution faced by law enforcement officers and the general public, questioning how long such atrocities would continue.
“Where has Bangladesh gone today? Until July, Bangladesh had a reputation worldwide. Bangladesh was identified as a role model for development. Bangladesh was called a wonder of development,” she remarked.