Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had planned to address the nation before fleeing the country on August 5 amid violent student protests. In her undelivered speech, she accused the United States of attempting to orchestrate a regime change in Bangladesh, stating she would have discussed this issue if she had the chance.

Hasina’s Remarks on Potential Power Retention

Currently in India, Hasina disclosed that she could have stayed in power if she had agreed to cede control of Saint Martin and the Bay of Bengal to the United States. She urged people not to be swayed by radicals.

Resignation and Concerns Over Violence

The 76-year-old leader indicated that she resigned to avoid witnessing further violence and loss of life. She expressed concern that remaining in the country could have resulted in more casualties and destruction.

Clarification on ‘Razakar’ Comments

Sheikh Hasina also addressed her controversial ‘Razakar’ remark, clarifying that she never intended to label the protesting students as Razakars. She claimed her words had been misinterpreted and urged students to view the full video of her statement to understand the context.

Current Situation in Bangladesh

With Sheikh Hasina’s departure, an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus has taken over. Yunus has urged student leaders involved in the protests to ensure their efforts are not undermined, amidst reports of attacks on minority groups.

In a significant development, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and five other senior judges resigned on Saturday due to widespread student protests demanding reforms in the judiciary. Additionally, several other high-ranking officials, including Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Maksud Kamal, have also stepped down following the ongoing protests.