Bergman Backs Joy’s Claim: Sheikh Hasina Did Not Order Gunfire on Protesters

Dhaka — British journalist and political analyst David Bergman has presented a strong argument supporting Sajeeb Wazed Joy’s claim that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not order security forces to open fire on protesters during the July uprising, countering earlier international media narratives based on a leaked audio recording.
In an analysis published in Prothom Alo, Bergman said that coverage by international outlets such as Al Jazeera and the BBC failed to present the leaked phone conversation in its full context, creating public confusion and a misleading interpretation of Hasina’s remarks.
Joy, the son of Sheikh Hasina, had earlier stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that his mother never instructed authorities to shoot peaceful demonstrators. Examining the authenticity of that claim, Bergman argued that a contextual reading of the leaked audio makes it clear that Hasina’s reference to the use of “lethal force” was directed not at student protesters, but at arsonists and violent groups attacking state institutions.
According to Bergman, the conversation took place amid reports of coordinated attacks on key installations. At the time, former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh informed the prime minister that “terrorists” were advancing toward Mohammadpur Police Station, while incidents of arson and vandalism had already occurred at locations such as the National Secretariat and Abahani Club.
Faced with escalating violence, Bergman writes, Hasina’s instructions were aimed at protecting lives and state property and suppressing armed attacks—not targeting peaceful students.
Crucially, Bergman notes that just before authorizing stronger action, Hasina explicitly stated that she had exercised restraint “considering the safety of students.” This, he argues, demonstrates that she consciously distinguished between students and violent actors, prioritizing student protection while responding firmly to security threats.
Bergman further criticized BBC and Al Jazeera documentaries for presenting Hasina’s comments without adequate context, portraying them as blanket orders to shoot protesters. Such selective use of audio clips, he said, distorted the meaning of her statements. Joy, Bergman added, was justified in pointing out that the clips were broadcast in a fragmented manner that altered their intent.
Analysts note that, as head of government, Sheikh Hasina bore a constitutional responsibility to safeguard citizens and state assets. Bergman concludes that her remarks reflected crisis management in the face of arson and organized violence—not hostility toward students—reinforcing Joy’s assertion that Hasina’s hardline stance was against terrorism and disorder, not peaceful protest.