Mohammad Yunus, head of the interim government of Bangladesh, has given a big statement on India. He said that if given a free choice, India would keep Sheikh Hasina with it and would not send her back to Bangladesh. This statement of Yunus has come at a time when India had said a few days ago that the matters related to Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina are of legal nature and there is a need for consultation between India and Bangladesh.

Yunus said in his interview that India has always supported Sheikh Hasina and if there is no legal obligation then they will keep her with them. It is noteworthy that former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina had to leave power after massive protests last year. After his departure from the post, Mohammad Yunus was appointed the head of the interim government. There are many allegations of corruption and human rights violations against Hasina. Bangladesh government has sought his extradition from India, but till now India has not taken any formal step on this.

I asked interim Bangladeshi leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus about accusations of anti-Hindu violence in his country since the revolution that forced out the Hasina government.

Watch his response below, and the full interview here:https://t.co/vQGDaoyk89 pic.twitter.com/MX7UEiZsDo

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) October 2, 2025

British-Indian journalist Mehdi Hasan

Mohammad Yunus said in an interview to British-Indian journalist Mehdi Hasan that if India wants, it can keep Sheikh Hasina with itself. I can’t tell them what to do with them, but they should ensure that they don’t talk about Bangladesh or our people. He said that some external forces are helping to bring Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh, so that she returns as a victorious leader.

Yunus hints at relations with India

Mohammad Yunus’s statement is being considered politically sensitive for India-Bangladesh relations. He said that India has always stood with the Awami League and the Sheikh Hasina government. Therefore, the present government expects neutral behavior from India. India has not yet taken any concrete stand on Sheikh Hasina’s extradition. New Delhi says that this is a legal matter, which will be decided through the judicial process. According to political analysts, this statement of Yunus may increase diplomatic tension between India and Bangladesh. Especially when both the countries are already going through a sensitive period on issues like border security, Rohingya refugees and water disputes.

Called the news of violence on Hindu community fake

Mohammad Yunus reacted to reports of increasing attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh and called them fake news. He said that such news is part of the fake news campaign being spread in India. Yunus said, “When I meet leaders of the Hindu community, I tell them, do not see yourself only as a Hindu, but as a citizen. You belong to this country, hence deserve full protection of the state.” He further said that many times local disputes are transformed into religious violence.

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Bangladesh sheikh hasina: The tremendous public propagation led by students in Bangladesh last year changed the direction of Bangladesh’s politics. The voices raised against corruption, unemployment and rivalry took the form of a mass movement and finally the Awami League government fell. After this, 77 -year -old Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had to leave the country and she came to India to take refuge.

The National Bureau of Bangladesh Police (NCB) has requested to issue a red corner notice against Sheikh Hasina and 11 others from Interpol on 19 April. This request has been made on the basis of arrest warrant issued by Bangladesh’s International Crime Tribunal (ICT). These people have been facing serious allegations of crime and genocide against humanity, allegedly occurred during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina.

What does red corner notice do?
The red corner notice is not a arrest warrant, but a request sent to the member countries on behalf of Interpol is that the person should be detected. He should be temporarily arrested, so that he can be assigned for extradition. Member countries are not legally bound to take action on this notice, it completely depends on their domestic laws and political intention.

India’s role is very important
India’s role becomes very important in this situation. There is an extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh, but this does not mean that India will have to hand over to Sheikh Hasina. India will first have to see whether the allegations are of political nature or not. If India feels that the action taken against Sheikh Hasina is inspired by the spirit of political revenge, then it can deny extradition.

India and Sheikh Hasina’s close relationship
Apart from this, the relations between India and Sheikh Hasina have been historically very close. There has been a significant partnership between India and Bangladesh about security cooperation, border management and regional stability under Hasina’s rule. In such a situation, it is not only a legal issue for India, but also a very sensitive diplomatic subject.

Arrest warrant against Sheikh Hasina and many former ministers
On August 8, when the interim government of Bangladesh was formed, Nobel winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the Chief Advisor. A few weeks after the formation of the government, ICT issued an arrest warrant against Sheikh Hasina and several former ministers. After this, in November, ICT made a formal appeal from the police to seek Interpol’s help. On January 21, the interim government made it clear that they are trying to bring Sheikh Hasina back from India. If needed, they can also ask for international intervention.