Hasina Vows Bangladesh Return Despite Jail Risk
She said her return was aimed at restoring stability and democratic processes.
New Delhi:Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said she intends to return to the country despite risks, including possible imprisonment, and indicated December as a likely timeframe, describing it as Bangladesh’s “victory month”.
Addressing a virtual media interaction to mark the second anniversary of the 2024 student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule, Hasina said, "I speak as someone who has spent her life with the people of Bangladesh and was forced away from my country, but I was never separated from my people…Whatever fate awaits me, I will return to my people. I cannot stay away while my beloved countrymen are suffering. I know I may be detained. I may be sent to prison. They may try to enforce verdicts issued in fabricated cases. But fear cannot decide my duty to the people. My life moved beyond calculations of personal safety long ago. In 1975, I lost my family. I spent six years in exile. After returning home, I fought against military rule, dictatorship, assassination attempts and political conspiracies. Even the grenade attack of 21 August 2004 could not stop me.”
She said her return was aimed at restoring stability and democratic processes. “I want to return because the people deserve security, development, prosperity and peace. They deserve a state that protects them, an economy that gives them opportunity, and a democracy that gives them rights. My return, and the return of the Awami League to the democratic process, is not about power. It is about putting Bangladesh back on the right track. It is about reviving the country’s path of development, progress, secularism and stability. I want to return to Bangladesh for one purpose: to stand beside the people and help improve their lives. The people are the source of all power. I believe in them. I trust them. I love them. And I will return to them,” Hasina said, adding that the ban on the Awami League should be lifted.
Referring to the July 2024 events, she said the movement was not entirely peaceful and alleged that organised groups had turned students’ demands into violent political action.
Hasina has been in India since August 5, 2024. A Bangladeshi court in 2025 sentenced her to death on charges of crimes against humanity linked to the crackdown on the protests, while the Bangladesh government has sought her extradition. India has not handed her over and she has been provided facilities in line with protocol.
Her son Sajeeb Wazed said, “Bangladesh has become another Pakistan where ISI has a freehand, Al Qaeda and Hizbul Mujahideen are operating freely. In future the next set of terrorists globally will be from Bangladesh,” said Wazed.