Several former ministers of Bangladesh have sharply criticised the Tarique Rahman-led government for its inflammatory remarks targeting both former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India, calling the administration's diplomatic language “juvenile” and accusing it of abandoning the basic standards of statecraft. The backlash followed Hasina’s virtual media address from New Delhi on 6 August, during which she also indicated she intends to return to Bangladesh before the year-end.

What the BNP-Led Government Said

Marking the anniversary of the 2024 July Revolution, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government described Hasina as an “absconding convicted genocider,” a “mass murderer,” and the head of a “mafia enterprise.” It also urged India to extradite the former Prime Minister and characterised her scheduled media appearance as an affront to Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

The statement, issued by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, drew immediate condemnation from former members of the Awami League-era cabinet, who described its tone as unfit for any official state institution.

Former Ministers Push Back

Former Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat was among the most direct in his criticism. “The statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs carries a tone of juvenile anger that is wholly unbecoming of a diplomatic communique or any state institution. While an individual may speak out of petulance or personal resentment, an institution must uphold composure, professionalism, and dignity,” Arafat said.

Former Foreign Minister A. K. Abdul Momen went further, accusing the present administration of suppressing media freedom and alleging that television channels and newspapers in Bangladesh did not publish or broadcast Hasina’s speech. In a post on X, Momen said, “Now this racist government of Tarique Rahman has expressed outrage against the Indian government and the Indian media organisations for not stopping Sheikh Hasina from speaking to reporters. They argued that she must not be allowed to open her mouth and tell the truth about the meticulously designed overthrow of her democratically elected government, as she has been convicted in a kangaroo court in absentia.”

The Tarique-Hasina Exile Parallel

Former ministers also drew a pointed comparison between Hasina’s current situation and Tarique Rahman’s own 17-year exile in the United Kingdom, during which he was a convicted individual under a caretaker government. They argued that Hasina’s Awami League government never moved to silence Rahman during that period.

Momen noted: “Interestingly, Tarique Rahman while in exile in UK (and was a convicted criminal by a Caretaker Government) during the past 17 years was never been denied by the Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government to speak to his people. But once in power, he is curbing freedom of speech and freedom of expression and media both home and beyond.”

Momen also outlined three demands Hasina placed before the people of Bangladesh during her address: the lifting of the ban on the Awami League, the withdrawal of what she described as politically motivated cases against her supporters, and the restoration of judicial independence and the rule of law.

India Distances Itself from the Event

India moved swiftly to clarify its position. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, speaking at a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, stated that the government had no involvement in Hasina’s media interaction and did not endorse any views expressed at the forum. “The interaction being referred to is being organised by a private media entity. The government has no involvement whatsoever in it and does not endorse any views that may be expressed at the forum,” Jaiswal said.

This comes amid an already strained diplomatic relationship between New Delhi and Dhaka since Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh in 2023. The episode marks a fresh low in bilateral communication, with the language of an official foreign ministry statement now itself becoming a subject of diplomatic controversy.

What Comes Next

Hasina’s stated intention to return to Bangladesh by year-end, combined with the BNP-led government’s extradition demand and the Awami League’s continued ban, sets the stage for a prolonged political and legal standoff. How India navigates its role as the host country — while maintaining official distance — will be closely watched in the months ahead.