Former Prime Minister Hasina of Bangladesh has called for the lifting of the ban on her political party
Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on Wednesday, for the lifting of a ban on her Awami League party and reaffirmed her intention to return to her country in December, confronting the new government led by her rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
During a media interaction at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi, Hasina expressed her unwavering resolve to return, even in the face of potential imprisonment or worse. “I will return to my people,” Hasina stated, indicating that she would disclose the specific date and details of her return when the moment was appropriate. “I know that they may put me in jail or they may kill me; anything may happen, but still I have to go back,” she remarked.
The event, taking place on the second anniversary of her 2024 ouster, marked Hasina’s first media interaction since her departure from Bangladesh. Although she was anticipated to appear via video, she provided only an audio message from behind a blank screen. It was unclear at first why she chose not to appear on camera, in contrast to several Awami League leaders and her son, who had spoken earlier.
Later in the day, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry criticized the event, describing it as “an affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh” in a post on X. Permitting her to engage with the media under any circumstances is profoundly damaging,” it stated, further noting that “Bangladesh is incensed.
Hasina, 78, informed Reuters in an interview last month of her intention to return to Bangladesh by the end of the year and surrender to the authorities there.
She left Dhaka two years ago after protests brought an end to her 20 years as prime minister over multiple terms.
The war-crimes court of the country sentenced her to death in her absence in November 2025 for orchestrating a lethal crackdown on the student-led uprising.Hasina firmly rejects the allegations, asserting that political motives and fabrication drive the cases and verdicts..
The government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, which assumed office following the elections in February, issued a warning to the country’s media on Tuesday against publishing her statements. They stated that such actions would breach a 2024 court order that forbids the publication or broadcasting of her speeches and statements.
There was a lack of media coverage for the event in Bangladesh, although it was accessible on social media. It was unclear at first how many individuals viewed the address, yet numerous Bangladeshis shared links to the speech and engaged in discussions about it on social media.
Demonstrations in Dhaka
As Hasina delivered her speech, demonstrators in Dhaka set fire to an effigy of her. She claimed that the anti-government protests transformed from a movement concerning public sector job quotas into a coordinated campaign fueled by organized violence, covert direction, and propaganda intended to oust her government from power and destabilize the constitutional order.
Hasina stated that Bangladesh’s economy had significantly worsened since her departure from office, claiming that growth had decelerated, investment and job creation had diminished, and over 20 million individuals had lost their jobs, while the economic progress achieved during her time in office was being undone.
The government has announced that August 5 will be a public holiday to honor those who lost their lives during the student-led uprising.
There was no prompt response from the government regarding Hasina’s recent statements.
Dhaka has consistently requested Hasina’s extradition from India. New Delhi has confirmed that it has received the request and is currently reviewing it.
Relations between the neighbors have continued to be tense since her ouster, although both parties have recently indicated a desire to enhance their relationship. Bangladesh’s foreign ministry stated that permitting Hasina to communicate openly with the media is “detrimental” to the advancement of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.
