Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has made her first public statement since fleeing to India two years ago. Her escape occurred via helicopter during a student-led uprising that resulted in the collapse of her government.
In a recent address, Hasina announced her intention to return to Bangladesh in December, despite facing a death sentence for crimes against humanity tied to a violent response to student protests. The 78-year-old politician fled to India in August 2024 amidst escalating protests against her administration and has remained in exile as authorities in Bangladesh pursued her extradition.
On Wednesday evening, she released an audio message to commemorate the second anniversary of the uprising that led to her removal from power. Although she was scheduled to appear via video link at an event organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi, only the audio message was broadcasted.
In her statement, Hasina called for the lifting of the ban on her Awami League party and expressed her commitment to returning to her supporters. “I will return to my people,” she declared. “They may try to implicate me with fabricated cases, but fear cannot determine my duty to the people, my life, or what lies beyond.” She indicated that she would disclose the specific date of her return when the moment is right.
The reason for her absence from the video link remains unclear, particularly as her colleagues and son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, participated in the event. Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi government had warned local media against airing Hasina’s remarks, stating that it would breach a 2024 court ruling prohibiting the dissemination of her speeches.
Relations between Bangladesh and India have become increasingly tense since Hasina’s ousting. The protests that led to her resignation after two decades in power culminated in her conviction in 2025 for crimes against humanity, a ruling she has claimed is without legal basis.
Abu Obaidha Arin, an aide to Hasina, asserted that the Bangladeshi government’s attempts to suppress dissent would not silence voices outside of its borders. In contrast, Bangladeshi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam stated that the government had consistently expressed concerns to India regarding Hasina’s political statements from Indian territory. Indian foreign ministry representative Randhir Jaiswal clarified that the event was organized by a private media organization and that the Indian government had no involvement or endorsement of any opinions expressed during the forum.
Despite the ongoing tension, both Bangladesh and India have recently shown signs of wanting to mend relations following the installation of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s administration, which took power after the February elections.
