India – In a recent interview with the Indian Express, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, currently in India, shared his insights on the current political situation in Bangladesh. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, many ministers and MPs have gone into hiding. Kamal, who left his home on August 7, admitted to an intelligence failure in suppressing the movement and discussed the challenges faced by the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
The press wing of the chief advisor has called Kamal’s statements completely false, labeling the interview as full of lies and misinformation. Despite this, Kamal’s detailed interview provides a glimpse into the ongoing political unrest and the future of the Awami League.
Here is the detailed interview of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal given to Indian Express for the readers:
Question: Where will the Awami League go from the current situation? How will the party turn around?
Answer: I was the Home Minister of Bangladesh for 10 years and 6 months. During this time, I witnessed a lot of development. Now everything has turned 360 degrees. Between August 3 and 5 last year, about 460 police stations were burned down, and 5,829 weapons were taken from the police stations. Weapons were also taken from the SSF (Special Security Force responsible for VVIP security) from the Prime Minister’s residence Ganabhaban. I was in Dhaka on August 5 and 6 and left home on August 7.
Question: As the Home Minister, you were responsible for the internal security of the country. Could you not foresee this situation?
Answer: When the police stations were burned, the police became practically ineffective. At that time, the nation had no choice but to silently watch and count the dead bodies. The police protect the citizens. But if the police become crippled, what will happen? I would say it was a joint uprising. It was a joint uprising of Islamic extremism and the army.
Question: Clearly, there was a massive intelligence failure. As a former Home Minister, do you admit this?
Answer: I agree that there was an intelligence failure, whether intentional or unintentional. But it was a military coup. The army has a special intelligence unit, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). They report directly to the Prime Minister. The National Security Intelligence (NSI) also reports directly to the Prime Minister. Even the police intelligence department reports to the Prime Minister. The Home Minister only receives a summary of the intelligence reports.
Question: Do you admit that your party made some fundamental mistakes that led to discontent?
Answer: I would not call it a mistake. But yes, we delayed in making the decision to reorganize our party. That is the problem. New leaders should emerge every two years. But we could not elect leaders on time.
Question: Do you have communication with your party president Sheikh Hasina?
Answer: I cannot meet her, but I talk to her on the phone about various problems and seek guidance. I was with her until almost midnight on August 4. The police chief was there. The army chief was also there, and he assured the Prime Minister that nothing would happen, and we would keep the situation under control.
He said, ‘Your safety is my responsibility.’ I witnessed all this. I asked him again, are you taking full responsibility? He said, yes. Then I told the police chief under me to discuss freely with the army and keep everything normal. But you saw what happened on August 5.
Question: Awami League workers are hiding abroad; many are in jail. How will you keep their morale up?
Answer: The morale of Awami League workers is very high. They cannot imagine a future without Sheikh Hasina. She has changed Bangladesh. Since coming to power in 2008, she has changed the economy and law and order of Bangladesh.
Question: What do you expect from India? How can India help?
Answer: I was a commander of the freedom fighters, so I know what India did to help Bangladesh in 1971. I admit, India has always helped Bangladesh. Now India can help diplomatically. Our courts have become crippled. Lawyers on the side of Awami League cannot go to court. All judges have been newly appointed. So the first task is to put diplomatic pressure and raise a loud demand so that the courts become effective again. India can help in this.
Question: What are the challenges in ensuring the safety of your and other Awami League leaders’ families?
Answer: My only son is in jail. Many of my relatives are not in good condition. My son is in a prison in Kashimpur, where we once detained terrorists. Every few days, someone from the current government goes there and asks my son where I am staying. And one case after another is being filed against me.
There are about 290 murder cases against me. This must be a record, maybe even an international record. In 54 cases, those who were supposed to be killed have returned alive… These cases include the names of our former Prime Minister, me, and several other leaders.
Question: Are you ready to face the law if you return to the country? Is Awami League ready to fight the elections?
Answer: I am not afraid to return. But that is only possible when the rule of law is restored, judges can hear cases independently, and our lawyers can fight for us. We believe in elections. We will definitely fight the elections if we can go there.
Question: Sheikh Hasina is in exile, and most of the top leadership of Awami League is in hiding. How difficult will it be to organize the party?
Answer: Nothing is impossible. I believe it is possible. And I believe everything will change very soon. I have seen the country of Bangladesh since its inception, I have seen the people of Bangladesh, and I firmly believe we will be able to overcome this situation very soon. We do not know the whereabouts of many of our leaders… but if we start a movement, start protests, they will come forward again.
I am over 75 years old, now I am in bonus life. I am ready to take risks. I believe the young leaders of Awami League are also ready to face this challenge. Now is the time for young leaders to come forward.
Question: What was the role of the media in this unrest?
Answer: The media is completely under their control. The media cannot comment on anything. They cannot raise their voice for anything. They are now silent. I believe if our leader Sheikh Hasina asks everyone to come forward, it will definitely happen.
Question: When you talk to Sheikh Hasina, what does she say?
Answer: I talked to her three days ago. She said, ‘Tell all the leaders and workers to stay united, and we will definitely overcome the situation very soon.’
Question: What message do you want to give to interim government chief Muhammad Yunus?
Answer: He has no right to sit in his chair. He is not a leader, not a politician. Something very strange has happened in our country. Bangladesh has become a strange example. Dr. Yunus should leave his position and let all political parties, including Awami League, contest the elections. This is the only way to restore democracy.