Sheikh Hasina's Bold Return: Aiming to Restore Democracy in Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina's Determined Return to Bangladesh

New Delhi: Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, announced her intention to return to her homeland in December, despite the potential risks of arrest or even a death sentence. She expressed her commitment to 'restore democracy and justice' in Bangladesh during a virtual press conference, marking her first media appearance since she left for India on August 5, 2024.

Hasina emphasized that her return is not motivated by a desire for power but rather to guide Bangladesh back towards development, secularism, and prosperity. She acknowledged the dangers she might face, stating, 'I know they may put me in jail or kill me. I will go back home to be with my people.'

At 78 years old, Hasina has been residing in India since her departure from Dhaka. She firmly declared, 'I have decided to go and I will go to Bangladesh.'

In November, a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced her to death in absentia for alleged 'crimes against humanity' linked to her government's violent response to student-led protests in 2024. Following this ruling, the Bangladeshi government has been pressing New Delhi for her extradition.

Hasina praised India for its unwavering support towards Bangladesh, stating, 'India has always been a great friend of Bangladesh.' She described the current situation in her country as deeply troubling, with fear permeating homes, workplaces, and educational institutions. 'This is not the Bangladesh we built,' she lamented, urging the international community to support the Bangladeshi people's fight for democracy and justice.

She also claimed that the protests in July and August 2024, which led to her government's downfall, were not merely peaceful demonstrations but were manipulated by organized groups to incite violence.

'I was forced away from my country, but I am never separated from my people,' she asserted. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, echoed her sentiments, stating that political killings have become normalized in Bangladesh since August 2024, describing the nation as a failed state with a breakdown of law and order. He warned that Bangladesh is becoming akin to Pakistan on India's eastern border.