Bangladesh has urged India to prevent former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who sought refuge in India last year after violent protests in Bangladesh, from making “false and fabricated” statements while in the country. In an online speech on Wednesday, Hasina called on her supporters to oppose the interim government in Bangladesh, accusing it of unlawfully seizing power. This came after thousands of protesters gathered in Dhaka and attacked the home of her father, Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh. Rahman’s home was destroyed and set on fire in an attempt to disrupt Hasina’s address.

In response, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry issued a protest note to India, expressing “deep concern and disappointment” over Hasina’s comments. The note urged India to take action to prevent her from making such inflammatory remarks. While India did not respond directly to Bangladesh’s request, its Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemned the destruction of Rahman’s residence as an act of vandalism, emphasizing its national importance as the place where Bangladesh’s independence was declared in 1971.

The Bangladesh interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, condemned the attack on Rahman’s house as a reaction to Hasina’s “violent behaviour” and expressed hope that India would prevent her from using its territory for destabilizing activities. Political unrest has persisted in Bangladesh since Hasina’s departure, with the interim government struggling to maintain order amidst ongoing protests. Despite the tensions, India and Bangladesh share strong cultural and business ties, with India playing a significant role in Bangladesh’s independence movement in 1971.