Desk Report: The Bangladesh government on Wednesday strongly protested the public appearance of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi, accusing India of allowing the fugitive and convicted leader to use its soil to make statements against Bangladesh and its people.

In a strongly worded press release, Dhaka expressed "deep regret" that Sheikh Hasina was permitted to participate in a live media interaction despite what it described as prior diplomatic concerns raised with the Government of India regarding the possible impact of such an event on efforts to improve bilateral relations.

The statement came as Bangladesh marked the second anniversary of the July Revolution, a politically significant day that commemorates the mass uprising that reshaped the country`s political landscape.

According to the government, Hasina`s public remarks from India amounted to "an affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh" and "a grievous insult" to those who lost their lives during the July Revolution.

The government also accused the former prime minister of attempting to deny internationally documented events surrounding the violence of July-August 2024. It said the comments contradicted findings that it claimed had already been established by the United Nations regarding the killings of civilians, including children, during the unrest.

Describing Sheikh Hasina as a "convicted genocider," "convicted mass murderer," and a fugitive from justice, the statement alleged that she and her associates were attempting to rewrite history through what it called "venomous vitriol" directed at the Bangladeshi state and its citizens.

The government asserted that such efforts had been rejected by the people in the past and would continue to be rejected in the future.

Reaffirming the principles of the July Revolution, the statement said the people of Bangladesh had resolved that the country would never return to what it described as the "dark days of fascism" and would not become a client state. It added that Sheikh Hasina and those associated with her political network would have no place in Bangladesh`s future political landscape.

Despite its criticism, Dhaka reiterated its commitment to maintaining a constructive and forward-looking relationship with India based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other`s internal affairs, and national dignity.

However, the government expressed disappointment that India has yet to respond to Bangladesh`s repeated requests for Sheikh Hasina`s return under the Bangladesh-India Extradition Treaty signed in 2013.

The statement argued that allowing the former prime minister to publicly address the media while extradition requests remain unanswered has deeply hurt public sentiment in Bangladesh and risks undermining efforts to build harmonious bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The latest diplomatic exchange highlights continuing tensions surrounding Sheikh Hasina`s presence in India and adds a new dimension to relations between Dhaka and New Delhi at a time when both countries have publicly expressed interest in maintaining stable and cooperative ties.