The documentary exposes Sheikh Hasina’s corruption, malfeasance and authoritarian style of government
Dr. Akhtar Gulfam, Editor-in-Chief, Daily Dawn, Director News Dawn TV
London: The international journal Financial Times has released a documentary based on the authoritarian rule of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and pro-Modi leader Sheikh Hasina, in which her corruption, malfeasance and authoritarian style of government have been exposed based on the investigation of local and international experts.
In the film, Rafia Rahnuma Haridi, coordinator of the student movement, says that Sheikh Hasina’s rule was not democratic in any way. According to John Reid, South Asia Bureau Chief of the Financial Times, the student protest movement against Sheikh Hasina reached its peak due to corruption in job quotas and her authoritarian behavior. He says that the extent of corruption in Bangladesh was such that he had not seen it in any other country in the world.
According to John Reid, people close to the former government gained control of the banks with the help of the military intelligence agency. On the other hand, Rizwan Ahmed Rafat, coordinator of “Students Against Discrimination”, alleged that the police and armed thugs of the ruling party opened direct fire on the protesters, used sniper shots and even shelled them from helicopters.
Citing a UN report, Financial Times reporter Susanna Savage said that about 1,400 people were killed during the protests, while thousands were injured and missing. She revealed that the S-Alam Group, headed by Mohammed Saif al-Islam, transferred more than $ 10 billion in capital abroad.
In this wave of corruption, Bangladeshi politicians, especially during their exile, transferred capital through British financial institutions and property.
According to Helen Taylor, deputy director of Spotlight on Corruption, a large amount of the stolen money from Bangladesh was invested in buying properties in the UK. Reporter Rafeuddin said that Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and other members of her family embezzled funds from major projects and used their influence to illegally acquire government land.
According to former head of the Electoral Reform Commission Badi-ul-Alam Majumdar, corruption, looting, and malfeasance were rampant during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. Mushtaq Khan, professor of economics at the University of London, said that the Awami League lost its economic and political grip during its last period of power due to state capture.
According to Mohammad Yunus, the current chief advisor of Bangladesh, $234 billion was stolen from the banking and business sectors and transferred abroad through various means.
The documentary also highlighted that Narendra Modi, who has been in power in India for a decade, showed his support for the dictatorship by giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina. The report said that both Modi and Hasina established records of corruption, malfeasance and incompetent politics during their authoritarian rule.
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