Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made sensational allegations, claiming that the recent unrest and riots in Bangladesh were orchestrated by the United States. She alleged that the U.S. conspired against her, aiming to gain control over St. Martin's Island. Hasina stated that her government could have continued if she had agreed to hand over the strategically important island to the U.S.
Before resigning as the Prime Minister and seeking refuge in India, Sheikh Hasina intended to address the nation amidst the violent protests. However, military officials did not permit her to speak. Media reports have now revealed the speech she was unable to deliver. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, denied these reports, calling them fabricated and false in an "X" post on Sunday night. He stated that his mother did not make any such speech before leaving Dhaka or afterward.
No Desire to Witness Funeral Processions
Several media outlets reported that Hasina shared her thoughts with close associates, and the speech she could not deliver has surfaced. She accused the U.S. of conspiring to change the government in Bangladesh. Hasina stated, "I do not wish to witness funeral processions. They wanted me to walk over the bodies of students to stay in power. But I did not allow that. I resigned as Prime Minister. If I had handed over the sovereignty of St. Martin's Island to the U.S. and given them a foothold in the Bay of Bengal, I could have remained in power. I urge the country's people not to fall for extremists' deceptions."
Hasina explained that if she stayed in the country, more lives would have been lost, which is why she decided to step down.
I Will Return to the Country Soon
In her undelivered speech, Hasina also addressed her party leaders and workers. She assured them that the Awami League party would stand strong again, urging them not to lose hope and promising to return to the country soon. Hasina expressed her distress at seeing Awami League leaders targeted. She clarified that she did not call the protesting students "Razakars" (traitors).
The Significance of St. Martin's Island
St. Martin's Island covers an area of just 3 square kilometers and is home to around 3,700 people who rely on fishing, rice, coconut farming, and seaweed collection for their livelihoods. The island is located 9 kilometers south of Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal, near the Myanmar border. It is Bangladesh's only island, and until 1947, it was part of British India before coming under Pakistan's control and later becoming part of Bangladesh in 1971. Although an agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar was reached in 1974 regarding the island, disputes over maritime boundary division persisted.
Internationally, the U.S. and China have shown significant interest in St. Martin's Island. They see it as a strategic location to strengthen their presence in the region. Analysts suggest that a military base on the island could provide China with a strategic presence over the Malacca Strait, a key transportation route. Allegations have surfaced that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, planned to sell the island to the U.S. in exchange for support in the parliamentary elections. These allegations, however, have been denied by the U.S.
