DHAKA — Sheikh Hasina Wajid, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has accused the United States of orchestrating the fall of her government. In her first public statement since resigning and fleeing to India, Hasina alleged that the U.S. aimed to control the Bay of Bengal and the strategically crucial St. Martin’s Island.

Hasina, who resigned on August 5 amid violent protests over the student quota system, claimed that her refusal to relinquish control of the island led to her government’s collapse. She suggested to close associates, according to Indian media, that surrendering the island’s sovereignty to the U.S. would have allowed her to stay in power.

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She justified her resignation by stating her desire to prevent further bloodshed among students and the public, explaining, “I resigned to stop more bodies from piling up in the streets.”

Following Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh has been governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Recently, the country’s institutions have been removing Hasina’s supporters, with students even surrounding the Supreme Court, demanding the resignation of the Chief Justice and six other politically appointed judges.

Hasina’s accusations have intensified the debate and added complexity to Bangladesh’s already volatile political scene. The interplay of foreign influence and domestic issues remains under close scrutiny as the nation faces its uncertain future.