Sheikh Hasina Facing Serious Allegations, Reports The Statesman

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is facing grave allegations regarding her role in authorizing lethal force against student protestors during demonstrations in 2024, according to a recent report published by The Statesman. The report cites newly revealed audio recordings, purportedly verified by forensic analysis, in which Hasina allegedly directed Bangladeshi security forces to shoot protestors, intensifying an already volatile crisis.

The audio recordings cited by The Statesman reportedly capture Hasina instructing law enforcement personnel to “shoot on sight” against students protesting the controversial reinstatement of a public-sector jobs quota. This crackdown, described as one of the harshest episodes in Bangladesh’s recent history, resulted in widespread violence, with official estimates placing fatalities at over 1,000. Independent human rights organizations claim the death toll may have exceeded 1,400.

The July 2024 protests, initially sparked by demands for fair access to public-sector employment, rapidly escalated into a national crisis. According to The Statesman, the brutal response by the government led to international condemnation and internal unrest, ultimately culminating in Hasina’s resignation and subsequent exile to India in August 2024.

The current interim Bangladeshi government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, is actively investigating these allegations. Thousands of arrests have been made, targeting former officials associated with the violent response, in what authorities have termed “Operation Devil Hunt.” Sheikh Hasina and senior members of her administration are now facing potential criminal charges, including murder, forced disappearances, and crimes against humanity.

According to The Statesman, international bodies, including the United Nations, have called for transparent, independent investigations into the incidents. The political fallout from these revelations continues to shape Bangladesh’s landscape ahead of national elections expected in mid-2026, with significant uncertainty surrounding Hasina’s future.

The Statesman’s report emphasizes that these developments may significantly alter the trajectory of Bangladesh’s democratic evolution, making it a critical moment in the nation’s history.