Sheikh Hasina Accuses US of Regime Change Plot in Undelivered Speech

Dhaka: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who recently resigned and fled to India amidst violent student protests, intended to address the nation on August 5 before her departure.

In her undelivered speech, Hasina accused the United States of orchestrating a regime change in Bangladesh, a claim she would have elaborated on had she delivered the speech.

Currently in India, Hasina revealed that she could have stayed in power if she had conceded control of Saint Martin Island and the Bay of Bengal to the US. “I could have remained in power if I had left St. Martin and the Bay of Bengal to America. Please do not be used by radicals,” the undelivered letter read.

Saint Martin Island, situated in the northeastern Bay of Bengal, is the southernmost part of Bangladesh.

The 76-year-old leader explained in the speech that she chose to resign to avoid witnessing further violence, expressing that her departure was to prevent more loss of life and property. “Maybe if I was in the country today, more lives would have been lost, more wealth would have been destroyed. I removed myself, I came with your victory, you were my strength, you did not want me, I myself then left, resigned,” the letter stated.

Hasina also clarified her controversial ‘Razakar’ remark in the letter, asserting that she never labelled the protesting students as Razakars, a term associated with those who were against Bangladesh’s independence during the liberation war.

“I would like to repeat to my young students that I never called you Razakars. My words have been distorted. I request you to watch the full video of that day. A group has taken advantage of your danger. I believe that you will be able to realize that one day,” she reiterated.