Bangladesh coup: Taslima Nasreen takes potshots at exiled Sheikh Hasina

In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country following weeks of violent anti-government protests led by students. The protests have resulted in the deaths of over 300 people and were initially sparked by opposition to government job quotas for families of veterans from the 1971 independence war. The movement quickly escalated into a broader campaign demanding Hasina's removal, culminating in a violent crackdown by the authorities.

Also Read: Is a Bangladesh-like coup on the cards to destabilise Narendra Modi-govt in India?

Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, a vocal critic of religious fundamentalism, highlighted the irony of Hasina’s resignation. Nasreen, who was forced to leave Bangladesh in 1994 due to death threats from fundamentalist groups over her book 'Lajja', accused Hasina of pandering to the same Islamists who are now part of the student-led agitation that ousted her.

In a post on X, Nasreen stated, “Hasina, in order to please Islamists, threw me out of my country in 1999 after I entered Bangladesh to see my mother on her deathbed and never allowed me to enter the country again. The same Islamists have been in the student movement who forced Hasina to leave the country today.”

Hasina in order to please Islamists threw me out of my country in 1999 after I entered Bangladesh to see my mother in her deathbed and never allowed me to enter the country again. The same Islamists have been in the student movement who forced Hasina to leave the country today.

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen)

Hasina in order to please Islamists threw me out of my country in 1999 after I entered Bangladesh to see my mother in her deathbed and never allowed me to enter the country again. The same Islamists have been in the student movement who forced Hasina to leave the country today.

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) August 5, 2024

">August 5, 2024

Hasina's resignation marks a significant political upheaval in Bangladesh, raising concerns about the country's stability and future governance. The international community is closely monitoring the situation as the nation navigates through this turbulent period.