| The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Dhaka has accused India of allowing “multifarious engagements” by the banned Awami League whose leader and ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, is a fugitive in India. A strongly worded note verbale from the foreign ministry in Dhaka said “Attention of the Government of Bangladesh has been drawn to the reported establishment of offices of the banned political party Bangladesh Awami League in the Indian Capital of Delhi, and Kolkata. This development comes in the backdrop of growing anti-Bangladesh activities undertaken by the leadership of the Bangladesh Awami League from being based on the Indian soil.” The Yunus-led government also said, “Many of the senior leaders of the party, absconding in several criminal cases in Bangladesh on account of grievous crimes committed against humanity, remain in Indian territory.” India has categorically rejected the claims and urged the Bangladesh government to rather focus on holding “free, fair and inclusive elections.” “The Government of India is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India or of any action that is contrary to Indian law. The Government does not allow political activities against other countries to be carried out from Indian soil. The Press Statement by the Interim Government of Bangladesh is thus misplaced,” Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, said Wednesday. The Yunus-led administration also blamed the Press Club of India in Delhi for providing a platform to the Awami League workers, who are on the run. “Earlier, on 21 July 2025 evening, under the garb of a nondescript NGO, some of the senior leaders of this banned party planned to hold a public outreach at the Delhi Press Club and eventually distributed booklets among the attending members of the Press. To date, several reports in Indian media affirm increasing overtures of the Party while being on the Indian soil,” the statement said. Earlier in May, the Yunus government had banned the Awami League from conducting any activities. The ban is under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Hasina was ousted from power last year in August following a student-led uprising, after which she took refuge in India and has been living in the country ever since. Hasina occasionally addresses her former party workers on social media platforms. She is not allowed to meet anyone publicly even as the Narendra Modi government has not made any statement on this matter. According to sources, the Awami League has been “making efforts towards regrouping” amongst some of the members who are living in Kolkata under “different identity.” However, sources said, they have not been able successfully do anything. The Yunus government went on to say that if India allows such activities to continue then it will be seen as a move “against the people and State of Bangladesh.” “Any form of political activity campaigning against the interests of Bangladesh by Bangladeshi nationals, particularly by the absconding leaders/activists of a banned political party, staying on Indian soil, legally or illegally, including the establishment of offices is an unambiguous affront against the people and State of Bangladesh,” the note stated. It also added, “This development also risks the good-neighbourly relations with India driven by mutual trust and mutual respect, and lends serious implications for the political transformation underway in Bangladesh. This may also trigger public sentiment in Bangladesh which may in turn impact the ongoing efforts of the two countries in further enhancing the relationship.” The Yunus-led government also urged India to “take immediate steps to ensure that no anti-Bangladesh activity is undertaken by any Bangladeshi national on Indian soil, including not permitting or supporting any such activities in any manner and an immediate closure of the political office(s) of the banned Bangladesh Awami League on the Indian soil.” Gautam Lahiri, President, Press Club of India refuted the charges and said, “Press Club is open to everyone and we take bookings only from legitimate organizations. Even Jamaat-i-Islami party members have held events here previously. The programme that is being alluded to in the statement was being organized by the Bangladesh Human Rights Watch and not a single former worker from Awami League attended the programme. In fact, officials from the Bangladesh High Commission attended the event,” he said.
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