On eve of Bangladesh victory day, Sheikh Hasina says Yunus 'secretly helping communal forces'

NEW DELHI: On the eve of Bijoy Dibos, deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday called the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus an "undemocratic group" that is "secretly supporting anti-liberation extremist-communal forces."
In a statement to commemorate the defeat of Pakistani forces in Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971, Hasina dubbed Muhammad Yunus as a "fascist" seeking to stifle the spirit of the Liberation War and pro-liberation forces.
The statement released by her party revolved around the role of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the Awami League in the struggle that culminated in the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971. Hasina took the opportunity to criticise Nobel laureate Yunus, who formed an interim government shortly after she stepped down and fled to India.

"This undemocratic group, led by the fascist Yunus, has no responsibility towards the people," she said.
"They are seizing power and obstructing all public welfare work," she added.
Hasina slammed the Yunus-led administration, claiming that the people of Bangladesh were burdened by rising prices.
"As this government is not democratically elected, it has no accountability to the people. Their main aim is to suppress the spirit of the Liberation War and the pro-liberation forces, silencing their voices," Hasina said.
"The lack of sensitivity of the leaders of this government, including the fascist Yunus, towards the Liberation War and its history is evident in every step they take," she further said.
Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh after massive student protests, accused the interim government of attempting to erase “progressive ideals,” the history and spirit of the Liberation War, and “all traces of the Great War of Liberation from national life.”
In her statements after reaching India, Hasina has repeatedly accused Yunus of perpetrating “genocide” and failing to protect Hindus and other minorities. Yunus reportedly raised concerns about Hasina’s presence in India with Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri during a visit to Dhaka last week, claiming that the statements did not go well with the people of Bangladesh. Yunus and other high ranking leaders of the caretaker administration have sought Hasina’s extradition from India.