Hasina allowed to deliver speech as part of Indian policymakers' plan: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Political Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that the opportunity given to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to address a live virtual interaction with journalists hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) of South Asia was allowed by Indian policymakers.

Speaking to reporters today (6 August), Rizvi claimed that Hasina is a fugitive from Bangladesh and is facing multiple murder and corruption cases.

He also paid tribute at the graves of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia on the anniversary of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB).

"Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in one case and to life imprisonment in another. Instead of returning her to Bangladesh, she is being allowed to engage in political activities there. This is an insult to our national sovereignty," he said.

Rizvi alleged that India had disregarded the mutual trust and respect between the two neighbours, calling the move interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs.

Referring to the July uprising, he claimed Hasina was forced to flee after a mass movement in which more than a thousand youths, students and teenagers were killed.

"A neighbouring country that claims to be the world's largest democracy is allowing her to make political statements," he said.

Rizvi further alleged that allowing Hasina to speak on the anniversary of her ouster was disrespectful to those killed during the movement.

"We strongly condemn and protest this disgraceful attempt," he said.

Rizvi also alleged that international conspiracies emerge whenever Bangladesh seeks self-reliance.

He said Ziaur Rahman had made the country self-sufficient in food and established multi-party democracy, claiming domestic and international conspiracies led to his assassination and that similar plots continue today.