Ambassador Mushfiqul compares Hasina regime to Mussolini’s rule

NN Online:
Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Mexico, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, on Wednesday likened the regime of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to that of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, describing it as authoritarian, repressive, and intolerant of dissent. He made the remarks while addressing a commemorative event on the anniversary of the historic July-August Uprising.

Speaking as the chief guest at the programme titled “July Uprising and the Journey of Democracy”, organised by the Bangladesh Embassy in Mexico City, the ambassador said the ousted government led by Hasina was a “carbon copy” of Mussolini’s fascist regime.

“Just as Mussolini built a sycophantic circle around himself, a similar culture of blind loyalty emerged under Sheikh Hasina. No space was left for dissent,” Mushfiqul said.

Drawing parallels with Mussolini’s notorious Black Shirts, he alleged that Bangladesh Chhatra League was transformed into a “helmet force” to stifle political opposition. “No one was spared—students, journalists, politicians, or ordinary citizens. Repression became a defining feature,” he said.

The ambassador criticised the systematic erosion of democratic institutions during the previous government, claiming freedom of expression had been severely curtailed. “There was a time when many feared that Bangladesh would never return to democracy,” he said.

However, Mushfiqul credited the mass uprising led by students, youth, workers, and progressive political groups for restoring democracy. He paid tribute to the nearly 2,000 people who were martyred during the movement. “Their sacrifices must not be forgotten. Justice must be done for the atrocities committed under the fallen regime.”

He noted that the current interim government had inherited a broken system—characterised by a politicised civil administration, depleted foreign reserves, and public mistrust in national institutions. “Reforms are urgently needed, especially in the bureaucracy which served dictatorship loyally for 15 years,” he said.

The ambassador also warned that anti-democratic forces remained active and were plotting fresh conspiracies. “Those who conspired before have not stopped. They survive on division. This is a time to unite, not allow disagreement to turn into hatred,” he urged.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to tackling human trafficking, Mushfiqul stressed the need for safe and legal migration. He vowed strict action against traffickers.

The event also marked the upcoming 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-Mexico diplomatic ties. It featured a moment of silence for the July martyrs, a documentary screening, a photo exhibition on the uprising, and performances of patriotic songs by members of the Bangladeshi expatriate community.