Hasina says she 'never resigned,' urges Awami League to continue struggle

On the first anniversary of the fall of her government, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has released a statement from London, asserting that she never resigned from her post. Currently living in self-exile in India, Hasina issued an "open letter" to the people of Bangladesh, urging her banned Awami League party members to continue their "struggle for justice, peace, and religious harmony." Her statement directly contradicts claims by Bangladeshi authorities and the army chief that she had resigned before fleeing the country on August 5, 2024.

Hasina's statement, marking what she described as the "fall of democracy," comes at a time when Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has commenced her trial in absentia. She is facing charges of "crimes against humanity" for the alleged violent suppression of student-led protests that ultimately led to her ouster. In the trial's opening statement, the chief prosecutor, Tajul Islam, described Hasina as the "nucleus of all crimes" and has sought the maximum penalty. A UN rights office report cited up to 1,400 deaths between July 15 and August 15 of last year during the crackdown.

While Hasina continues to rally her party from abroad, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been pressing India for her extradition. India, however, has not responded to the request, with officials stating that Dhaka has yet to complete the required legal and diplomatic formalities. The refusal has reportedly led to a strain in bilateral relations, which are at an "all-time low" between New Delhi and the new administration in Dhaka.