Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, has accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ignoring his request to prevent former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from making political statements while residing in India.
Speaking at London’s Chatham House on Wednesday, Yunus said he had urged Modi to at least limit Hasina’s outreach to the Bangladeshi public while she remains in India following her ouster last August. “When I had a chance to speak with Prime Minister Modi, I simply said, ‘You want to host her — I cannot force you to abandon that policy. But please help us ensure that she does not address the Bangladeshi people the way she currently is,’” Yunus told the audience at the prestigious think tank.
‘Explosive Situation’: Yunus Criticises Modi’s Social Media Remark
Yunus revealed that he raised the issue during a bilateral meeting with Modi at the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok this April. He said Hasina’s announcements on specific dates had stirred public unrest back home. “She announces that she will speak on a particular day and at a particular time, and the whole of Bangladesh becomes very angry,” he said.
He further claimed that Modi dismissed the concern, saying, “It is social media; we cannot control it.” In response, Yunus said, “What can you say? This is an explosive situation, and you can’t simply walk away by saying it’s social media. Yet this continues.”
Extradition Efforts to Continue
Yunus reiterated that his government would not back down from efforts to extradite Hasina, who was recently indicted by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal for ordering a violent police crackdown on protestors last year. “The trial process has started. The tribunal has issued her notices for the crimes she has committed, and now she must respond,” he stated.
Since taking office, Bangladesh’s interim administration has sent multiple extradition requests to India, starting in December. However, India has yet to respond.
Yunus confirmed that they plan to escalate the matter using legal channels, including international mechanisms. “We want the process to be legal and proper,” he added.
