'Hope Democracy Will Return': Taslima Nasreen Speaks On Bangladesh Election Results

Last Updated:February 13, 2026, 13:01 IST

Nasrin also spoke strongly against Jamaat-e-Islami, alleging that the party had collaborated with the Pakistani Army during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War.

As Bangladesh went for elections on Thursday to elect its next government, exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin has delivered a sharp and deeply critical assessment of the country’s political landscape in an exclusive interview with News18 India.

She expressed hope that democracy would be restored through the electoral process. Referring to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Nasrin said she hopes the party will uphold democratic values. “I hope democracy will be back, because BNP believes in democracy. I hope they protect democracy and secularism, human rights and minority rights," she said.

Strong Words on Jamaat and a Call for Secularism

Nasrin also spoke strongly against Jamaat-e-Islami, alleging that the party had collaborated with the Pakistani Army during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War.

“Jamaat-e-Islami was the collaborator of the Pakistani Army in 1971. They helped them kill three million Bengali people and rape 200,000 Bengali women. They were against the independence of Bangladesh," she claimed.

She described Jamaat as the “main opposition party" in the current scenario, calling it unprecedented in Bangladesh’s history. According to her, Jamaat’s rise has been enabled by the absence of the Awami League.

Nasrin stressed that secularism remains essential for Bangladesh’s future.

“Secularism is needed for this country, otherwise it would be like another Afghanistan. Because jihadists and Islamic fundamentalists are there, we have to save the country from them. They are anti-India, pro-Pakistan and were anti-independence," she said.

‘Worst Time’ Under Yunus

On Yunus’s tenure, Nasrin was particularly scathing. “Bangladesh saw the worst time during his regime — mob violence, violence against minorities, violence against women and opposition parties," she said.

She further alleged that no action was taken against perpetrators because “those criminals were mostly jihadists and Islamic fundamentalists," claiming Yunus came to power with their support and failed to act against them.

Questioning repeated claims of a “new Bangladesh" by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Nasrin remarked, “Md Yunus said quite a few times that this is a new Bangladesh. How many times will Bangladesh be born?"

Criticism of Awami League and Sheikh Hasina

While critical of Jamaat and Yunus, Nasrin also pointed to what she described as failures during the tenure of the Awami League under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“Awami League did make mistakes during their tenure. Millions of jihadists are in Bangladesh, and it is because of Sheikh Hasina. She helped fundamentalists to grow," Nasrin alleged. Despite her differences with Hasina, including being barred from returning to Bangladesh and having her book banned, Nasrin said she hopes Hasina gets an opportunity to return.

“Even though she did not allow me to enter my country, I hope she would get the opportunity to return," she said, adding, “I would be happy if I am allowed to go back to my country. It is my right."

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