On November 17, a court in Dhaka sentenced former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death. She was found guilty of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s violent anti-government protests. Hasina, who now lives in exile in India, has denied the allegations.
The verdict marks a significant milestone in the political history of Bangladesh. The case also puts India in a difficult diplomatic position as Dhaka has sought Hasina’s extradition. However, New Delhi showed no sign of approval.
While some of Hasina’s detractors posted comments such as “well deserved” and “Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), the majority of comments on social media condemned the decision.
“So the ‘new Bangladesh’ is moving so fast that it condemned the former prime minister in absentia, announced a death sentence, sent a bulldozer and started a riot before lunch. At this rate, chaos is unfolding in Bangladesh right now,” one commented.
“Bangladesh has no legitimate government or democracy. Of course they will condemn Hasina. They are just looking for an excuse to kill her,” wrote another.
Another wrote: “Just an excuse to kill Sheikh Hasina.”
“People who used to call Sheikh Hasina a ‘dictator’ are now watching the same government hand down the death sentence for the former prime minister as an act of political revenge. Darkest day in Bangladeshi politics,” said another.
“India will never extradite Sheikh Hasina,” another user predicted.
Another wrote: “Bangladesh is now a rogue nation. a foregone conclusion. Now Bangladesh will become like Pakistan.”
I am not afraid: Sheikh Hasina
After the verdict, Hasina issued a statement calling the sentence “politically motivated”. She mentioned that the trial was held in absentia, so she had no chance to defend herself.
“I am not afraid to face my accusers in a proper court where the evidence can be fairly weighed and tested,” Hasina said.
In an email to the BBC last week, Sheikh Hasina said her trial in absentia was a “farce” run by a “kangaroo court” controlled by her political rivals.
“I do not deny that the situation got out of control, nor that many lives were needlessly lost. But I never gave any order to fire on unarmed civilians,” she wrote.
On November 17, Google India saw a surge in interest for “Sheikh Hasina”:
