Publish: 15:26, 06 Jan, 2025

Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir says

“Bangladesh lived under shadow of a regime that turned "elections into farces"”

Don’t mistake loyalty to a leader for loyalty to a nation, he tells Indian media friends
Online Desk
“Bangladesh lived under shadow of a regime that turned "elections into farces"”

Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir has said Bangladesh, for over a decade, lived under the shadow of a regime that turned "elections into farces, dissent into treason, and the press into a pliant karaoke machine".

He said deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government was not content with just running the country; it wanted to own it, complete with a monopoly on truth, reports UNB.

"And yet, many Indian media outlets covered her like she was the reincarnation of Florence Nightingale with a hint of Indira Gandhi—a benevolent savior wrapped in a saree," Apurba said in Facebook post shared from his verified account.

The DPS said the headlines painted Hasina as the "custodian of regional stability, the queen of economic growth, the counterterrorism champion."

"All the while, you conveniently ignored the cracks in her carefully curated narrative: the enforced disappearances, the muzzled media, and the rigged elections that would make even the most seasoned dictator blush. But hey, why bother with facts when you’ve got a heroine to glorify, right?," Apurba said.

The DPS claimed that India’s political elite has long seen Bangladesh as the "pliant younger sibling —a nation to scold, co-opt, and control".

He said Hasina fit neatly into that box. "She gave you border deals, connectivity agreements, and a steady hand against your own domestic insurgencies. In return, you turned a blind eye to her despotic tendencies, spinning her reign as one long, glorious Durga Puja of democracy."

And now, Apurba said, as the Interim Government of Bangladesh charts a new path—one rooted in accountability, transparency, and genuine public service—"you’ve shifted gears".

"Suddenly, we’re painted as a ‘threat to stability,’ a rogue element disrupting the cozy status quo, the next villain of “Pathan”. Never mind that our goal is to restore the democratic rights that Hasina trampled on. Never mind that our mandate is to fix what she broke," Apurba mentioned in his Facebook post.

But here is a little secret, said the DPS, adding that Bangladesh "isn’t your pawn, and it never was. We’re not here to play second fiddle in your geopolitical symphony, and we’re certainly not here to rubber-stamp your propaganda."

He said they a nation with their own dreams. "Our own struggles, and yes, our own flavors—bold, unapologetic, and unforgettable."

Reffing to their friends in the Indian media, Apurba said, "Here’s a piece of advice: go easy on the favoritism. Don’t mistake loyalty to a leader for loyalty to a nation."

"As for us? We’ll keep cooking up something better—a future where democracy isn’t a garnish, but the main course," said the CA's DPS.

Bd-pratidin English/ Afia

More News
Chief Justice visits Shaheed Abu Sayeed's family
Chief Justice visits Shaheed Abu Sayeed's family
CHT Adviser for focusing more on serving tourists
CHT Adviser for focusing more on serving tourists
July uprising creates atmosphere for free assembly
July uprising creates atmosphere for free assembly
Expectations of martyrs’ families from chief adviser
Expectations of martyrs’ families from chief adviser
Chatradal to stand with black cloths tied to faces in protest against Israeli genocide
Chatradal to stand with black cloths tied to faces in protest against Israeli genocide
Bombs planted to target investigators in enforced disappearance cases: Chief Prosecutor
Bombs planted to target investigators in enforced disappearance cases: Chief Prosecutor
Trump's Tariffs: Two Letters to be sent to the US in 48 hrs
Trump's Tariffs: Two Letters to be sent to the US in 48 hrs
Gaza genocide: 'No Work, No School' campaign to be observed on Monday
Gaza genocide: 'No Work, No School' campaign to be observed on Monday
ACC to file graft cases against former minister Hasan Mahmud, his wife
ACC to file graft cases against former minister Hasan Mahmud, his wife
BNP wants India to review Waqf law to uphold communal harmony
BNP wants India to review Waqf law to uphold communal harmony
Sarjis Alam calls for nationwide protests in solidarity with Gaza on Monday
Sarjis Alam calls for nationwide protests in solidarity with Gaza on Monday
61 pro-Awami League lawyers ordered to be sent to jail
61 pro-Awami League lawyers ordered to be sent to jail
Latest News
US jury orders Chevron to pay $745m for pollution
US jury orders Chevron to pay $745m for pollution
16 minutes ago | International
Israeli forces raid cities, refugee camps in West Bank
Israeli forces raid cities, refugee camps in West Bank
20 minutes ago | International
‘Swadhinata Concert’ with leading musicians in four cities on Friday
‘Swadhinata Concert’ with leading musicians in four cities on Friday
35 minutes ago | Entertainment
Israeli strikes on Gaza kill 32 including women and children
Israeli strikes on Gaza kill 32 including women and children
36 minutes ago | International
Bangladesh Hockey team finalizes squad for AHF Cup
Bangladesh Hockey team finalizes squad for AHF Cup
53 minutes ago | Sports
Chief Justice visits Shaheed Abu Sayeed's family
Chief Justice visits Shaheed Abu Sayeed's family
1 hour ago | National
CHT Adviser for focusing more on serving tourists
CHT Adviser for focusing more on serving tourists
1 hour ago | National
July uprising creates atmosphere for free assembly
July uprising creates atmosphere for free assembly
1 hour ago | National
Islami Bank MD sent on mandatory leave
Islami Bank MD sent on mandatory leave
1 hour ago | Business
Expectations of martyrs’ families from chief adviser
Expectations of martyrs’ families from chief adviser
1 hour ago | National
Jaya Ahsan condemns killings in Gaza, urges global conscience to awaken
Jaya Ahsan condemns killings in Gaza, urges global conscience to awaken
10 hours ago | Entertainment
Chatradal to stand with black cloths tied to faces in protest against Israeli genocide
Chatradal to stand with black cloths tied to faces in protest against Israeli genocide
11 hours ago | National
Fulham stun Liverpool 3-2, snapping 26-game unbeaten league streak
Fulham stun Liverpool 3-2, snapping 26-game unbeaten league streak
11 hours ago | Sports
Bombs planted to target investigators in enforced disappearance cases: Chief Prosecutor
Bombs planted to target investigators in enforced disappearance cases: Chief Prosecutor
12 hours ago | National
Trump's Tariffs: Two Letters to be sent to the US in 48 hrs
Trump's Tariffs: Two Letters to be sent to the US in 48 hrs
12 hours ago | National
UK Labour MPs denied entry to Israel during West Bank visit
UK Labour MPs denied entry to Israel during West Bank visit
12 hours ago | International
Torrential rains kill 30 in DR Congo
Torrential rains kill 30 in DR Congo
12 hours ago | International
Gaza genocide: 'No Work, No School' campaign to be observed on Monday
Gaza genocide: 'No Work, No School' campaign to be observed on Monday
13 hours ago | National
German delegation in city; sees economic potential
German delegation in city; sees economic potential
13 hours ago | Business
ACC to file graft cases against former minister Hasan Mahmud, his wife
ACC to file graft cases against former minister Hasan Mahmud, his wife
14 hours ago | National
Emon makes record for fastest half-century as Bangladeshi batters
Emon makes record for fastest half-century as Bangladeshi batters
14 hours ago | Sports
BNP wants India to review Waqf law to uphold communal harmony
BNP wants India to review Waqf law to uphold communal harmony
14 hours ago | National
Sarjis Alam calls for nationwide protests in solidarity with Gaza on Monday
Sarjis Alam calls for nationwide protests in solidarity with Gaza on Monday
14 hours ago | National
Millions take to streets across US against Trump, Musk
Millions take to streets across US against Trump, Musk
14 hours ago | International
61 pro-Awami League lawyers ordered to be sent to jail
61 pro-Awami League lawyers ordered to be sent to jail
14 hours ago | National
Starlink gets BIDA approval to launch operations in Bangladesh
Starlink gets BIDA approval to launch operations in Bangladesh
14 hours ago | National
Record $3.29bn remittance inflow in March
Record $3.29bn remittance inflow in March
14 hours ago | Business
Govt to provide bicycles to 16,000 schoolgirls, training to 2 lakh women
Govt to provide bicycles to 16,000 schoolgirls, training to 2 lakh women
15 hours ago | National
Small firms, AI lead Europe’s 2024 patent activity, EPO reports
Small firms, AI lead Europe’s 2024 patent activity, EPO reports
15 hours ago | Tech
Shakib under investigation by ACC over corruption allegations
Shakib under investigation by ACC over corruption allegations
15 hours ago | Sports
Most Read
Gaza genocide: 'No Work, No School' campaign to be observed on Monday
Gaza genocide: 'No Work, No School' campaign to be observed on Monday
13 hours ago | National
Sarjis Alam calls for nationwide protests in solidarity with Gaza on Monday
Sarjis Alam calls for nationwide protests in solidarity with Gaza on Monday
14 hours ago | National
Mirza Fakhrul departs for Singapore
Mirza Fakhrul departs for Singapore
22 hours ago | National
Bangladesh-US trade surpassed $10bn in 2024
Bangladesh-US trade surpassed $10bn in 2024
22 hours ago | Special
Complexity in 55 constituencies
Complexity in 55 constituencies
22 hours ago | Special
Dhaka set to vitrine new investment climate at global summit
Dhaka set to vitrine new investment climate at global summit
17 hours ago | Business
Bank transactions to run from 10 am to 4 pm from today
Bank transactions to run from 10 am to 4 pm from today
23 hours ago | Business
Rizwana calls for positive mindset in environmental actions
Rizwana calls for positive mindset in environmental actions
18 hours ago | National
Iran warns neighbors against hosting strike operations
Iran warns neighbors against hosting strike operations
17 hours ago | International
Meta launches new AI model Llama 4
Meta launches new AI model Llama 4
21 hours ago | Tech
61 pro-Awami League lawyers ordered to be sent to jail
61 pro-Awami League lawyers ordered to be sent to jail
14 hours ago | National
Laapataa Ladies writer denies plagiarism claims
Laapataa Ladies writer denies plagiarism claims
20 hours ago | Entertainment
Starlink gets BIDA approval to launch operations in Bangladesh
Starlink gets BIDA approval to launch operations in Bangladesh
14 hours ago | National
Rain likely in Dhaka, 7 other divisions
Rain likely in Dhaka, 7 other divisions
18 hours ago | National
US tariffs will have minimal impact on country’s exports
US tariffs will have minimal impact on country’s exports
19 hours ago | Business
Sheikh Moinuddin joins as special assistant to road, transport, bridges ministry
Sheikh Moinuddin joins as special assistant to road, transport, bridges ministry
16 hours ago | National
Starmer to declare end of globalization as Trump’s trade war redraws economic order
Starmer to declare end of globalization as Trump’s trade war redraws economic order
17 hours ago | Business
Army chief leaves for Russia, Croatia to discuss bolstering defence ties
Army chief leaves for Russia, Croatia to discuss bolstering defence ties
23 hours ago | National
Tulip accused of lying in UK Parliament about flat
Tulip accused of lying in UK Parliament about flat
21 hours ago | International
Country witnesses no major crime during Eid holidays
Country witnesses no major crime during Eid holidays
20 hours ago | National
Tarique Rahman mourns death of Koko’s mother-in-law
Tarique Rahman mourns death of Koko’s mother-in-law
21 hours ago | National
Microsoft employee fears her code is used to kill Gaza children
Microsoft employee fears her code is used to kill Gaza children
21 hours ago | International
Record Tk 4.11cr toll collected at Padma Bridge in 24 hrs
Record Tk 4.11cr toll collected at Padma Bridge in 24 hrs
18 hours ago | National
Impact of Trump's tariff not difficult to manage: Finance Adviser
Impact of Trump's tariff not difficult to manage: Finance Adviser
21 hours ago | Business
IMF satisfied with Bangladesh’s improvement: Finance Adviser
IMF satisfied with Bangladesh’s improvement: Finance Adviser
17 hours ago | National
‘We're hopeful of starting 2nd Tribunal soon’
‘We're hopeful of starting 2nd Tribunal soon’
16 hours ago | National
Trump's Tariffs: Two Letters to be sent to the US in 48 hrs
Trump's Tariffs: Two Letters to be sent to the US in 48 hrs
12 hours ago | National
'World-class' Archer praised after rapid IPL turnaround
'World-class' Archer praised after rapid IPL turnaround
21 hours ago | Sports
Sports hub to be set in 8 divisions with UAE support
Sports hub to be set in 8 divisions with UAE support
16 hours ago | Sports
Election work including delimitation progressing well: CEC
Election work including delimitation progressing well: CEC
18 hours ago | National