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Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5 following violence in Bangladesh.
Six days after resigning from the post of Prime Minister in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina has said that her government has been toppled because of not giving St. Martin Island to America.
According to the Economic Times, Hasina told her close aides, “I did not want to let the death toll rise in the violence by the fundamentalists. They wanted to capture power through the dead bodies of the students. But I did not let this happen by resigning.”
Hasina said, “I could have saved my chair by giving St. Martin Island and the Bay of Bengal to American control. I appeal to the countrymen not to get misled by the fundamentalists. With the grace of Allah, I will return to Bangladesh soon.”
Talking about the students’ movement, Hasina said, “I never called them Razakars. My words were misrepresented to create instability in the country. This conspiracy has been hatched taking advantage of the innocence of the people of Bangladesh.” This is the first time after her resignation that Hasina has made a statement on this matter.
The footage is from August 5, when Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh amid the violence.
Hasina had said- America is asking for St. Martin Island from Bangladesh
Earlier in June 2021, Bangla newspapers claimed that the US is demanding St. Martin Island from Bangladesh. It wants to build a military base here. After this, Bangladesh Workers Party President Rashid Khan Menon also said in Parliament that the US wants to acquire St. Martin Island and is pressuring it to become a member of the Quad.
The island of St. Martin, which caused so much uproar in Bangladesh politics, is an island of just 3 square km. Its distance from Myanmar is just 5 miles. In June 2023, PM Hasina had said that if the opposition BNP party came to power, they would sell St. Martin.
205 attacks on Hindus in 52 districts of Bangladesh
Amid the violence in Bangladesh, attacks on the Hindu community are increasing. So far 205 cases of attacks on Hindus have been reported in 52 districts. On Saturday, the head of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, condemned this.
He said, “Attacking minorities is a heinous crime. It is the duty of the youth of the country to protect the Hindu, Christian and Buddhist communities living in Bangladesh.” Addressing Bangladesh’s Begum Rokeya University, Yunus said, “Students have saved this country. Can’t they protect minorities? They are also citizens of our country. We have to live together.”
Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of the interim government on August 8.
Yunus said- Bangladesh is in the hands of youth
Yunus said that Bangladesh is now in the hands of the youth. According to Bangladeshi media Daily Star, thousands of Hindu protesters blocked roads in Dhaka and Chittagong on Saturday. They protested against the attacks on their homes, shops and temples.
During this, the protesters also raised slogans like ‘Protect Hindus’, ‘We want justice’ and ‘The country belongs to all citizens’. They asked why the houses and temples of Hindus are being looted? According to media reports, after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, 2 Hindu leaders of her party Awami League have been murdered.
Demand of Hindus- A separate ministry should be formed for minorities
Protesters in Bangladesh have demanded necessary steps to stop attacks on Hindus. They have also demanded a separate ministry to protect the interests of minorities. The protesters have said that they should be given 10% seats in the Bangladesh Parliament.
The protests against violence on the Hindu community are not limited to Bangladesh. A large number of people gathered outside the House of Parliament in Britain and protested against the attack on Hindus. They raised slogans of ‘Hindu Life Matters’. Many people, including members of human rights organizations, participated in this protest.
The protesters also demanded compensation for those affected by the violence. Apart from this, they also demanded the reconstruction of the demolished temples. The protesters said that they were born in this country. This is the land of their ancestors. This country is equally theirs. Even if they are killed here, they will not leave their birthplace Bangladesh. They will stay on the streets to get their rights.
Hindu protesters on the streets of Bangladesh are demonstrating against attacks on temples and their homes.
People demonstrated in front of the House of Parliament in London against attacks on Hindus.
US lawmaker said – Hasina government ministers should be banned
On the other hand, some lawmakers in the US have demanded sanctions against Bangladesh officials who worked during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. Democratic Party MP Van Hollen has demanded sanctions against Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who was the Home Minister in the Hasina government, and Obaidul Quader, who was the General Secretary. For this, he also wrote a letter to Foreign Minister Antony Blinken.
Hindus were attacked in 52 districts, protection sought from Mohammad Yunus
Bangladesh has a population of 17 crores, of which Hindus are about 7.95% (1.35 crores). Hinduism is the second largest religion in Bangladesh. A large population of Hindus lives in 61 out of 64 districts of the country. According to reports, Hindus in Bangladesh are considered supporters of Hasina’s party Awami League. This is the reason why they are now on target.
According to the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council, Hindus and their properties were targeted in 52 of the country’s 64 districts. The council said that the minority population is forced to live in fear. They have demanded security and protection from government chief Mohammad Yunus.
