New Delhi : A voice note shared online by Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League party has revealed an emotional account by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about narrowly escaping an alleged assassination attempt. In the audio clip, the 77-year-old leader, speaking in Bangla, praises Allah for saving her and accuses her political opponents of conspiring to kill her. The recording sheds light on the harrowing moments that led her to flee Bangladesh with her sister Rehana last August.
In a trembling voice, Sheikh Hasina recounts how she and her sister narrowly escaped a violent mob attack on her residence in Dhaka on August 5, 2024. “We escaped death by just 20-25 minutes,” she says, describing the life-threatening situation that forced her to resign as Prime Minister and flee to India for safety. Her voice conveys deep gratitude as she attributes her survival to divine intervention. “Surviving the killings on August 21, surviving the bomb in Kotalipara, or surviving on August 5, there must be a will of Allah, hand of Allah. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have survived this time,” she states, recalling prior assassination attempts on her life.
Sheikh Hasina has faced numerous threats throughout her political career. In the audio clip, she refers to the infamous August 21, 2004 grenade attack during an Awami League rally in Dhaka, which she narrowly escaped. While Hasina survived with injuries, the attack claimed the lives of at least 24 people and left hundreds wounded. Another incident she cites is the Kotalipara bomb plot in July 2000, where explosives were discovered at a venue she was scheduled to visit. These events have become stark reminders of the dangers she has faced as a prominent political figure.
Since fleeing to Delhi, Sheikh Hasina has remained vocal about the challenges she has endured and the political instability in Bangladesh. Her emotional voice note comes amid growing tensions in her home country, where corruption cases have been filed against her and her family members. The Awami League has accused opposition parties of orchestrating a campaign to discredit and eliminate her politically.
The audio clip has sparked significant attention, highlighting the precarious state of politics in Bangladesh. It underscores the sacrifices Sheikh Hasina has made and the resilience she has demonstrated in the face of repeated threats.
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