Archives to release Sheikh Hasina's phone records

An initiative has been taken to preserve and make public the call records of the red telephone used by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban. By selecting a specific date, members of the public will be able to listen to the phone conversations held on that day.

The red telephone was used by Sheikh Hasina during her tenure as prime minister to communicate with top-level individuals regarding state governance, administrative decisions, national crises and key political issues. Audio recordings of those conversations have been preserved in a digital archive.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus inspected the progress of the final-stage works of the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum. During the visit, he toured the museum’s activities and exhibitions and expressed hope that it would guide the nation in the future.

Arriving at the under-construction museum at Ganabhaban on Tuesday afternoon, the chief adviser reviewed the historical background of the July mass uprising, the context of the movement, and various visual and documentary presentations depicting Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule.

During the inspection, Professor Muhammad Yunus said, “This museum has been made possible while the blood of the July martyrs is still fresh—this is a unique example in the world. We do not want such museums to be needed anywhere in the future. But if the nation ever loses its way, this museum will guide it.”

Under the leadership of cultural adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, curator Tanzim Wahab, Marina Tabassum Khan and researchers guided the chief adviser through the museum. During the visit, archived call recordings of Sheikh Hasina’s key phone conversations from her time in power were also played.

At the time, the call recordings were listened to by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, and the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami.

There are also plans to open Ganabhaban and the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum to the public in the near future.