MOFA summons Pranay Verma over Sheikh Hasina's speech

The Bangladesh interim government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) summoned Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Thursday (6 February 2025) after ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered a speech from India on Wednesday, accusing Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus of conspiring to get her murdered.

Pranay Verma was summoned hours after Sheikh Hasina's speech was broadcast on all online platforms of her overthrown party, the Awami League which very shortly went viral on social media too.

Sheikh Hasina's speech followed the demolition of the 32 Dhanmondi residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by angry demonstrators. The building was demolished using bulldozers in presence of police force. In a statement issued on Thursday, Awami League said, "Dr. Yunus and the entire interim government cannot escape liability for last night's destructive acts."

"A game of destruction has started around Bangladesh which is going through a phase of chaos and upheaval. Bangladesh which was a role model of development across the world has become the land of terrorists and fighters. This is indeed a matter of great misfortune for us all," Sheikh Hasina said in her speech. Calling Mr. Yunus' government "completely unconstitutional", Sheikh Hasina complained, "He (Dr. Yunus) has come to power using monetary links and by stepping on the dead bodies of many people of our country. There was a meticulous planning by Dr. Yunus sahib to kill me and my younger sister."

Moreover, protesters in Bangladesh targeted the houses of several Awami League leaders across the country. They also demolished a memorial of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka.

Bangladesh has been seeking the extradition of Sheikh Hasina Hasina from India, where she has been residing since running away from Dhaka on 5 August 2024. In December 2024, Bangladesh sent an official request to India seeking Sheikh Hasina's repatriation.

India's Ministry of External Affairs too confirmed receiving the request while in January 2025 Bangladesh also revoked the passport of Sheikh Hasina and 96 other individuals including politicians and officials for crackdown against demonstrators during the July-August uprising in 2024.