Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 29 May expressed grave concern over the deaths of multiple Awami League leaders and activists, accusing the current Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government of perpetuating a cycle of political violence that she alleged began under the former interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus. Hasina called for an independent investigation, asserting that the pattern of deaths reflects a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.

The Death That Triggered the Statement

Md Dabirul Islam, 78, a veteran freedom fighter and former Awami League lawmaker representing the Thakurgaon-2 constituency for seven terms, died at Square Hospital in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon. He had been arrested on 3 October 2024, reportedly in connection with an extortion case registered at Baliadangi Police Station, following the political transition that accompanied the July 2024 mass demonstrations. He was granted bail on 19 February this year due to deteriorating health, only to die three months later.

What Hasina Said

In a statement posted on the Awami League's official account on social media platform X, Hasina described Islam's death as anything but natural. 'After suffering severe physical and mental torture that left him seriously ill, he was released on bail on February 19, effectively moving from a smaller prison to a larger one. However, his son, former MP Mazharul Islam Sujan, has still not been freed from the false charges. The court issuing two different rulings for two accused in the same case raises many questions,' she wrote.

She went further, stating: 'This was not a natural death, but rather a planned killing. In this manner, the Nazi Yunus government has killed countless of our leaders and activists. It is noteworthy that the current government is continuing this same process, which does not reflect any commitment or responsibility toward the rule of law.'

A Second Death from the Same District

Hasina also cited the earlier death of Ramesh Chandra Sen, a senior Awami League leader and former MP from the Thakurgaon-1 constituency, who died on 7 February after reportedly falling ill while in police custody at Dinajpur District Jail, according to local media reports citing official sources.

Both men represented constituencies in the same district, a coincidence Hasina said warranted scrutiny. 'The deaths of two important and widely respected politicians from the same district raise questions as to whether this is merely coincidental or part of a planned series of killings, which deserves investigation,' she stated.

Broader Context and Political Significance

The deaths come amid an ongoing crackdown on Awami League figures following the July 2024 political transition in Bangladesh. Critics of the current dispensation argue that the arrests and reported mistreatment of opposition figures amount to systematic political persecution, while the government has maintained that legal processes are being followed. Hasina, who has been living outside Bangladesh since the transition, has repeatedly used social media to highlight what she describes as targeted violence against her party's leadership.

With two senior leaders from the same district dead within months and multiple party figures still in custody, the Awami League is expected to intensify its calls for international scrutiny of Bangladesh's political and judicial climate in the weeks ahead.