Washington, DC, August 14: The United States Department of State has vehemently dismissed recent claims alleging its involvement in the resignation of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, calling the accusations “laughable” and “absolutely false.”
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel addressed the allegations head-on. “Any implication that the United States was involved in Sheikh Hasina’s resignation is absolutely false,” Patel stated, emphasizing the lack of credibility in the claims.
Patel highlighted the increasing disinformation circulating about Bangladesh’s political situation. “We have seen a lot of disinformation in recent weeks and we are incredibly committed to strengthening information integrity across the regional ecosystem, especially with our partners in South Asia,” he added.
These statements come in the wake of unrest in Bangladesh that culminated in Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on August 5. The protests, initially sparked by student dissatisfaction with job quota systems, quickly escalated into broader anti-government demonstrations.
Michael Kugelman, a US-based Foreign Policy expert and Director of the South Asia Institute at The Wilson Center, has also refuted claims of foreign interference. In an interview with ANI, Kugelman explained that the crisis was driven by internal factors rather than external influences. “I see this as a crisis driven purely by internal factors. The Hasina government’s severe crackdown on protesters only intensified the movement,” Kugelman said.
He dismissed allegations made by Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, regarding foreign interference, labeling them as unfounded. “There is no plausible evidence supporting these claims. The unrest was fundamentally driven by domestic issues,” Kugelman asserted.
In the midst of this political turmoil, protests have also erupted in Washington. Last Friday, demonstrators gathered outside the White House to protest alleged violence against minorities in Bangladesh since Hasina’s ouster. The protesters, who carried both American and Bangladesh flags, voiced their concerns through slogans and calls for justice, demanding an end to the violence targeting minority communities in Bangladesh.
The US Department of State’s firm rejection of the involvement allegations underscores its stance on maintaining transparency and integrity amidst the ongoing political instability in Bangladesh.