Published : 04 Aug 2026, 10:27 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:30 AM
Zahed Ur Rahman, information advisor to the prime minister, has urged the public to follow the court's instructions regarding the dissemination of any speech by former premier Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power in a mass uprising.
In a regular briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he warned of taking “legal action” in this regard.
An Indian media outlet reported that Hasina, who is in exile in Delhi and has been sentenced to death by a Bangladeshi tribunal for crimes against humanity, will join an event virtually for the first time in the two years since she was deposed.
A reporter noted that Hasina said she would speak on Aug 5 and that some newspapers are defying the court’s instructions barring the broadcast of her speech.
Asked if any action would be taken on the matter, the advisor said: “We have informed the newspapers of the instructions before. I did not see any news that [Hasina] would make another speech.
“If anyone publishes any news that she will give another speech, or announces it in advance, or publishes it, it will be considered a ‘violation’ of the court’s verdict.”
“We had previously issued a warning. We are reminding everyone once again, so that no one does it. Refrain because there is a court order.”
He said, “Our government is not a court. If someone is aggrieved, if someone thinks it is wrong to stop Sheikh Hasina from broadcasting her speech. If someone thinks that her speech should be allowed to be broadcast, then he can go to court to challenge the verdict.
“However, it is the duty of every institution to comply with the court’s verdict. The government will take action to ensure the court’s verdict is being implemented.”
Hasina fled abroad in the face of a student-led mass uprising on Aug 5, 2024. In December that year, the International Crimes Tribunal banned her from broadcasting her statements in the media and on social media.
The Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Humaiun Kobir has sought India's cooperation to prevent Hasina from making any political statements or carrying out activities from Delhi.
He made the request for cooperation when Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on him in Dhaka on Monday.
Now the information advisor has issued a warning on the matter on Tuesday.
Zahed highlighted that Aug 5 is the day that Hasina was toppled and fled.
He said, "Sri Lankan President Gotabaya [Rajapaksa] fled as well. Did he flee with thousands of people? She (Hasina) fled, and even after fleeing, people, especially the administration and those who stand by her, remain in different parts of the country. You cannot remove so many people even if you want to.
“It is not easy to fill all the vacancies that have been left by the officials who have been at different levels of the government for 15 years. One did not get a promotion, he is now being promoted, but there is also a question of competence.
“You appoint someone all of a sudden, you need to understand there is a learning curve at every level. There are complications, but efforts are being made.”
