Taslima Nasreen Criticizes Sheikh Hasina Following Resignation and Escape from Bangladesh

Exiled author Taslima Nasreen criticizes Sheikh Hasina's resignation, accusing her of fostering Islamist groups and corruption, leading to political turmoil and her downfall.

on Aug 06, 2024

Taslima Nasreen Criticizes Sheikh Hasina Following Resignation and Escape from Bangladesh

Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen has sharply criticized Sheikh Hasina in light of her recent resignation and escape from Bangladesh amid escalating anti-government protests. Nasreen, known for her criticism of religious extremism, accused Hasina of fostering Islamist groups and allowing corruption, which she claims led to Hasina's downfall.

In a recent post on X, Nasreen highlighted the irony of Hasina's situation, stating that the same Islamist forces that prompted her own exile in 1999 were now driving the protests that ousted Hasina. Nasreen had been forced to leave Bangladesh in 1994 due to threats from fundamentalist groups over her book Lajja, which was banned in the country.

Nasreen argued that Hasina's attempts to appease Islamist factions and her tolerance of corruption contributed to the current turmoil. She wrote that Hasina’s departure was a direct result of her own policies. Nasreen accused Hasina of allowing Islamist groups to flourish and turning a blind eye to corruption, which she argues contributed to the current political crisis. She stresses that Bangladesh must not follow Pakistan’s path; it needs to embrace democracy and secularism.”

The protests, which erupted over government job quotas favoring families of 1971 war veterans, escalated into a broader movement demanding Hasina’s ouster. The violence has resulted in over 300 deaths and significant unrest.

Hasina, 76, fled Bangladesh in a military aircraft and arrived at Hindon airbase near Delhi, where she was received by India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Following her departure, Bangladesh's army chief announced her resignation and the formation of an interim government. The chaos following Hasina’s exit saw hundreds of protesters storming her official residence in Dhaka, leading to looting and vandalism.