India’s continued sheltering of ousted Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and allowing her to remain politically active could harm its long-term interests, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Mawlana Gazi Ataur Rahman said on Saturday.
He said India would have to face the consequences of choosing to maintain ties with what he described as an “autocratic power” instead of building stronger relations with the people of Bangladesh.
Rahman also urged the government to keep diplomatic pressure on India to stop Hasina from carrying out political activities, according to a statement.
He called for a stronger international campaign to highlight what he described as the “atrocities” committed by the Awami League, alleging that the party has long been skilled at spreading false information.
Rahman said there should be no compromise in the trials of those accused of involvement in what he called “fascism”.
He also stressed that the trials should move forward without unnecessary delays.
He warned that if Hasina is allowed to continue her political activities from abroad, she could repeatedly create instability by announcing plans to return to Bangladesh.
He further called for state reforms to build stronger institutional safeguards against what he described as “Awami fascism” and ensure that it does not return.
