Addressing her followers on the second anniversary of her expulsion from Bangladesh, Awami League president and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina turned emotional while reflecting on the current state of the nation. She remarked that today's Bangladesh is far removed from the vision for which 30 lakh people laid down their lives during the 1971 liberation movement. Prior to her address at the event, several exiled leaders of the Awami League also spoke, launching sharp verbal attacks against Bangladesh's ruling BNP.
Reframing the Nature of the Protests
Reflecting on the widespread demonstrations that unfolded two years ago, Sheikh Hasina asserted that the uprising was not an ordinary student protest. She emphasized that it was actually a meticulously organized movement designed to destabilize the administration. According to her, the character of the demonstration underwent a radical shift starting July 15, after which the crowds engaged in widespread violence, killings, and the destruction of public property.
Call for Justice and Resistance Against Extremism
Also addressing the event was Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury Nowfel, who served as a minister in Sheikh Hasina's cabinet. He clarified that their political stance is focused on securing justice rather than seeking revenge. Nowfel issued an appeal urging people not to support religious fundamentalism within Bangladesh. He firmly added that they would not stand by and allow Bangladesh to deteriorate into a failed state.
