DHAKA: While former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ‘missing’ resignation letter has sparked fresh tensions and widespread protests across Bangladesh, popular Bangladeshi writer and activist Taslima Nasrin has accused the top officials of the Asian country of lying and misleading the nation over the issue.
In a tweet posted on her official handle, the controversial writer accused the Army Chief and Bangladesh President of “lying”, claiming that everyone talked about Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter but no one actually saw that.
“Everybody in Bangladesh lied. Army chief said Hasina resigned. President said Hasina resigned. Yunus said Hasina resigned. But nobody has seen the resignation letter. Resignation letter is like a god, everybody says it is there, but nobody can show or prove it is there,” Nasrin tweeted.
Everybody in Bangladesh lied. Army chief said Hasina resigned. President said Hasina resigned. Yunus said Hasina resigned. But nobody has seen the resignation letter. Resignation letter is like a god, everybody says it is there, but nobody can show or prove it is there.
— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) October 23, 2024
It all started after Bangladesh President Shahabuddin said in an interview with Manab Zamin’s political magazine Janatar Chokh that he had only heard that Hasina had resigned, but had no evidence of her resignation. “I tried (to collect the resignation letter) many times but failed. Maybe she did not have the time,” Shahabuddin was quoted as saying.
President Shahabuddin’s remark triggered massive protests in Dhaka, with protesters now demanding his resignation, accusing him of “falsehood” while terming his statement a “violation of his oath of office”.
What Has Triggered The Fresh Protests In Bangladesh?
The remarks made by Shahabuddin have also fuelled massive speculations and accusations of foul play by the country’s military to force Hasina out of power.
Amid political chaos in Bangladesh, hundreds of protestors marched towards the presidential palace, ‘Bangabhaban’, shouting slogans and demanding the President’s resignation. The Army, however, foiled their attempt to storm and seize the palace.
The fresh uprising began several weeks after Sheikh Hasina fled the country and arrived in India in July after millions of Bangladeshis, led by university students, launched a nationwide movement to demand her ouster.
As the events unfolded, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus became the chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government on August 8.
What Was Reported In Bangladesh Media Over Sheikh Hasina’s Exit?
Then, President Shahabuddin said that before administering the oath of office to Yunus and his advisory council members, he had duly consulted the Supreme Court and received its nod to proceed because of the extraordinary situation.
Bangladesh media reported that Hasina went to the president’s house before leaving the country with her sister and tendered her resignation. However, it is shrouded in mystery after President Shahabuddin claimed there was ”no resignation letter.”
In a televised address to the nation on August 5, Shahabuddin said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tendered her resignation letter to the president and I have received it.”
Bangabhaban also stated on behalf of the President, urging people not to reignite controversy over a settled issue.
Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter holds significance since it legitimises the appointment of the interim government. But now that it has gone missing, the Yunus-led interim government can be accused of power-grabbing.
