Yunus Is Powerless, Allows Extremists To Dictate Foreign Policy: Sheikh Hasina Targets Interim Govt

In a series of blistering remarks from exile, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has characterized the current state of her nation as one of "absolute lawlessness," claiming that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is either "powerless" or intentionally complicit in the rising tide of religious extremism.

Speaking to ANI, Hasina alleged that the "radicalization" of Bangladesh's institutions is now systemic. She accused Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus-who assumed power following the "July Uprising" that toppled her regime-of releasing convicted terrorists and placing extremist figures into cabinet-level positions.

"Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it," Hasina stated. She specifically pointed to the recent targeted killings of both activists and minorities as evidence that the secular fabric she spent fifteen years building is being dismantled. "India sees the chaos, the persecution of minorities, and the erosion of everything we built together," she added, warning that Bangladesh's international credibility has effectively collapsed under the current administration.

The former Prime Minister's comments come at a moment of extreme tension following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, the radical figure and convenor of the Inqilab Moncho. He was shot at close range while traveling in a rickshaw in Dhaka on December 12.

After being airlifted to Singapore, he succumbed to his injuries on December 18. His death ignited a fresh wave of unrest, with protesters targeting media houses-including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo-accusing them of biased reporting.

The instability has taken a gruesome communal turn. On the same day as Hadi's death, Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu youth, was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh over unverified allegations of blasphemy. Das was reportedly beaten, tied to a tree, and his body was set on fire.

The incident has caused a significant diplomatic rift with New Delhi. Hasina defended India's decision to suspend visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chittagong, calling India's security concerns "justified." She alleged that the Yunus regime has "manufactured hostility" toward India to distract from internal failures.

A Government Under Pressure

The interim government, meanwhile, is facing a domestic ultimatum. The Inqilab Moncho has given the Home Ministry a 24-hour deadline to show "visible progress" in arresting Hadi's killers, threatening renewed mass protests if their demands are not met.

The situation is further complicated by the legal status of Hasina herself. In November 2025, a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced her to death in absentia for "crimes against humanity" related to the 2024 crackdown on students. The interim government has formally requested her extradition from India, a move that Hasina continues to dismiss as "politically motivated" by an "unelected regime."

As the country prepares for a general election set for February 12, 2026, the "uneasy calm" described by observers remains fragile, with the nation caught between the rhetoric of a deposed leader and the mounting challenges of a transitional government struggling to maintain basic order.