Bangladesh’s BNP leadership has questioned India’s role in allowing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to address a press conference in New Delhi. Hasina joined by audio call and answered questions at the FCC South Asia event on 5 August, the second anniversary of the fall of the Awami League’s long rule during the July uprising.

BNP standing committee member and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told BBC Bangla that his party wanted to know why India had allowed Hasina, who has been living there since her removal from power, to engage in political activity and speak directly to the media about Bangladesh. He said the Awami League had not expressed regret or apologised over killings during the July movement. At the conference, Hasina avoided a question on whether she would apologise, while her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy said one side should have the same right to indemnity if another side had received it.

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry had raised concerns with India and sought cooperation to prevent Hasina from conducting political activities in Delhi. India said the conference was privately organised and that it did not endorse statements made there. Salahuddin Ahmed said the Awami League remains banned and allegations of crimes against humanity involving the party are under investigation.