Sheikh Hasina vs Yunus the political turmoil in Bangladesh refuses to subside. Sheikh Hasina, the deposed chief of the Awami League, has come down heavily on Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, blaming him for obliterating history, facilitating violence, and conspiring with external forces to destroy the nation.
In a fiery eight-minute virtual address, Hasina didn’t hold back—branding Yunus a “self-centered loan shark” and warning him that playing with fire would eventually burn him too.
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You’re Erasing Our History—Hasina’s Accusation
Hasina’s most heart-wrenching accusation was of the systematic erasure of Bangladesh’s liberation past. The monuments and complexes dedicated to the Mukti Joddhas (the freedom fighters who fought for the independence of Bangladesh in 1971) by the Awami League, when she was in charge, were now being pulled down, according to her.
“Mukti Joddha complexes are being torched. Our martyrs are being defamed. Will Dr. Yunus be able to explain this?” she challenged.
For most Bangladeshis, this isn’t political—it’s personal. The 1971 Liberation War is a sacred page in the country’s history, and any effort to belittle its memory touches a raw nerve.
The Shadow of Foreign Influence
Sheikh Hasina vs Yunus has long claimed that her ousting from office was the work of foreign powers. In her address, she held fast to this, blaming Yunus as a pawn in a game.
That money-loving, power-loving, self-serving individual concocted a foreign plot, she charged, alleging Yunus used foreign funds to destabilize Bangladesh.
She did not mention any countries by name, but the implication was unmistakable—she is convinced that outside forces supported her removal to put in place a more compliant government.
The Mystery of Abu Sayeed’s Death
Sheikh Hasina vs Yunus Perhaps the most chilling moment of her address was her inquiry into Abu Sayeed’s death.
Sayeed, a young student protester, was a symbol of resistance after he was murdered during last year’s violent quota reform protests. The interim government portrayed his death as a victim of police brutality under Hasina’s regime, making him a martyr.
But Hasina maintains the truth is much more sinister.
“The police fired rubber bullets, not live ammunition. A rock hit him on the head during the riots. Where did the 7.62 mm bullet originate from”? she asked.
She alleged that when a government official attempted to trace the origin of the bullet, Yunus had him removed from his position. “Why? Because Yunus is guilty of this murder.”
Her call? Exhume Sayeed’s body and carry out an actual forensic inquiry.
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A Country in Chaos
Hasina portrayed a dark vision of Bangladesh under Yunus’s caretaker government:
Factories closing
Awami League-associated enterprises torched
Police officers killed with impunity
BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists reportedly allowed to go on rampage against rivals
“Industries are being finished. Hotels, hospitals—everything is being destroyed,” she alleged.
She blamed Yunus for ignoring the brutality, motivated by his lust for power alone. “This fascist terrorist is destroying our country.”
The Battle for Justice—Or Vengeance?
Hasina’s rhetoric was merciless, yet beneath the outrage was a message that rang clear: she’s not finished yet.
“I didn’t murder those protesters. Neither did the Awami League nor the police. This was all a conspiracy,” she asserted.
With a new arrest warrant issued against her in Dhaka, her return to Bangladesh appears to be hazardous. However, she has promised to return, casting it as a matter of conscience.
“I can’t let this go on. The people of Bangladesh deserve justice.”
What Comes Next?
The struggle between Hasina and Yunus is not political—it’s personal. And with the economy of Bangladesh on the brink and violence on the rise, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Hasina’s threat to Yunus—”If you play with fire, it will burn you too”—sounds less like a threat and more like a prophecy.
The question now is, who will get burned first?
Final Thoughts
Sheikh Hasina vs Yunus this isn’t merely a battle of wills—it’s a war for the soul of Bangladesh. With foreign intervention charges, historical erasure allegations, and claims of state brutality, this is no partisan issue.
This much is sure: so long as Hasina can speak out, this war of words—and quite possibly something more—is only beginning.
What’s your take? Is Hasina’s resistance worth it, or is this a last hurrah from a dying leader? Sound off in the comments.