The interim government has strongly condemned a series of articles published by The Indian Express on Friday, calling them part of a “well-organised propaganda campaign” aimed at misleading readers with false and biased narratives.
One of the reports, titled “In hiding, Bangla Awami top brass connect with Hasina, wait for 'rule of law' to return,” cited fugitive leaders of the Awami League (AL), who are accused of crimes including murders and massacres. The government has denounced the report, claiming it contains false and misleading information and fails to adhere to basic journalistic standards.
The report quoted former Awami League MP Nahim Razzaq, alleging that AL members are being denied judicial rights and bail. The interim government countered this, stating that the judiciary in Bangladesh is functioning independently. As evidence, it cited the recent granting of bail to former Awami League ministers Saber Hossain Chowdhury and MA Mannan, who were released from jail.
Another former AL MP and Joint Secretary, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, was quoted in the article saying they would return to Bangladesh if the rule of law is restored. The interim government highlighted that the rule of law was absent during the Awami League’s rule from 2009 to mid-2024. It accused the previous government of enabling thousands of extrajudicial killings, 3,000 cases of enforced disappearances, and rampant corruption amounting to billions of takas, as documented by an independent white paper.
The government also addressed claims made about the July 2024 student uprising, which led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s regime. It stated that over 1,000 peaceful protesters were killed during the uprising, forcing Sheikh Hasina and other senior AL leaders to flee the country. The interim government reiterated its commitment to re-establishing the rule of law to ensure justice for all citizens, including victims of the Awami League’s misrule.
The Indian Express report also quoted former AL minister AKM Mozammel Haque, alleging inaction in recovering thousands of small arms looted from police stations in August 2024. The Interim Government clarified that police have recovered 4,358 of the 5,750 arms stolen during the three days of lawlessness when no government was in place. Efforts are ongoing to retrieve the remaining weapons.
The interim government criticised The Indian Express for not seeking comments from Bangladeshi authorities, suggesting a deliberate attempt to promote a biased narrative against the current government.
“The Indian Express has clearly aligned itself with fugitive elements seeking to undermine the progress made by the Interim Government in restoring law and order,” the government stated.
The government reiterated its commitment to upholding press freedom but urged international media outlets to adhere to journalistic ethics and ensure balanced reporting to maintain credibility.