'Sheikh Hasina never embodied Sheikh Mujib’s ideals'

Late renowned writer, intellectual, and political figure Badruddin Umar, in a statement, stated that Sheikh Hasina never embodied the ideals of the country's founding president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In his deposition, Badruddin Umar described Sheikh Hasina as having ‘come out of nowhere and seized power’. She rose to power solely because she is Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s daughter, with no independent political base or personal popularity. She led as ‘the father’s daughter’ but never internalised Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s ideals. Instead, she undermined the country’s political values. A key feature of her governance was authoritarian rule and plunder under the guise of liberation war ideals. Umar expressed uncertainty about what people truly mean by the ‘spirit of the liberation war’. While everyone speaks of it, its real significance has never been clarified. If this spirit refers to the aspirations of people in 1971 — what they dreamed of and sought — then there was no alignment between the aspirations of ordinary citizens and the thinking of Awami League leaders. Ordinary people desired two meals a day, a secure life, a respectable job, and some safety. Awami League leaders, however, focused on exploiting opportunities to amass wealth and consolidate power.

On Monday, Mohammad Tajul Islam, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, said that in his deposition to the tribunal’s investigators on 14 February this year, Badruddin Umar described numerous events under the Awami League government, making these observations.

Umar further stated: “From the day after Sheikh Hasina fled, ordinary citizens across the country began tearing down statues and murals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. No orders were issued, yet it happened. This was a form of natural retaliation, expressed spontaneously by the people. Years of oppression and suppression erupted in this uprising. As a result, the Awami League was ousted not only from power but also from the trust of the people. Similar to the fall of the Muslim League, this uprising has created an irreversible political outcome for the Awami League. With India’s support, they may attempt subversive activities, but their revival as a national political party is impossible.”

He added: “The 2024 mass uprising was a unique event, not only in Bangladesh but across the Indian subcontinent. Such popular movements, in their scale and intensity, have never been seen in India or Pakistan. Bangladesh itself has witnessed mass uprisings — in 1952, 1969, and 1990. Among these, the 2024 uprising was the most explosive and transformative. The 1952 Language Movement secured linguistic recognition; in 1969, Ayub Khan was overthrown; and in 1990, Ershad’s fall led to an elected government. Yet none of these movements resulted in such all-encompassing collapse or the flight of a government or party. Sheikh Hasina’s administration, from start to finish, was aligned with India’s interests. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was India-oriented but did not act under India’s directives. Sheikh Hasina’s governance, however, was entirely structured according to India’s blueprint. In this context, banning the Awami League is no longer a political question; it has become a matter of national security. The party’s activities run counter to Bangladesh’s political, economic, and cultural interests. They act as structural agents of Indian influence, endangering the state’s future.”

Umar also said: “During the Awami League’s rule, Sheikh Hasina committed major crimes, with India’s support. She maintained deep ties with India’s intelligence agencies, and India facilitated her rise to power. After her fall, she fled to India, where she will remain. Staying there is a form of punishment; she will ‘burn and perish’ there. Another possible punishment, in my view, is that India may eliminate her to resolve its own difficult situation. The longer she remains, the worse relations with Bangladesh will be. To improve those relations, a decision regarding her must be taken. Whether she can stay there or not is not the question. If Narendra Modi orders her death, it would be no surprise. They will stage it so that it appears she was killed by Bangladeshis. A coordinated campaign of this nature will follow.”

Badruddin Umar, the writer and intellectual, passed away on 6 September. He was a key witness in the murder case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over crimes committed during the July mass uprising.