The former Bangladesh prime minister said her planned return was not an attempt to regain power, but a decision to stand with her supporters and challenge what she described as political persecution.
New Delhi/Dhaka | Published: August 5, 2026
Hasina’s declaration could trigger a major political, legal and diplomatic confrontation involving Bangladesh’s current authorities, the Awami League and India, where she has lived since leaving office in August 2024.
New Delhi/Dhaka: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated that she intends to return to Bangladesh in December, despite facing the possibility of arrest, imprisonment or death.
Addressing journalists virtually from India on Wednesday, Hasina said she wanted to return during Bangladesh’s “Victory Month” and remain with the people she once governed.
“I know they may put me in jail or kill me. I will go back home to be with my people.”
Hasina said her proposed return was not motivated by a desire to reclaim political power. Instead, she presented it as an effort to restore what she described as Bangladesh’s path towards democracy, secularism, development and prosperity.
The former leader, who has been living in India since her government was overthrown in August 2024, has previously said she and senior Awami League colleagues intend to return voluntarily and appear before the courts.
- Hasina said she intends to return to Bangladesh in December.
- She acknowledged that she could face imprisonment or death.
- She said the return was not intended to reclaim political power.
- The declaration could intensify political and diplomatic tensions.
Hasina Becomes Emotional While Remembering Her Family
During the address, Hasina paid tribute to Bangladesh’s independence leader and her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as well as those killed during the country’s 1971 Liberation War.
She became emotional while recalling the assassination of her father and several members of her family during the military coup of August 15, 1975.
Hasina said that although she had been forced to leave Bangladesh, she had never felt separated from the country or its people.
She claimed that ordinary citizens and Awami League supporters had suffered extensively since her removal from office and said she could no longer remain abroad while her supporters faced repression.
Hasina said that although she had been forced away from Bangladesh, she had never been separated from its people.
July–August 2024 Unrest Was Not Spontaneous, Hasina Claims
A major part of Hasina’s speech focused on the protests that led to her government’s collapse in August 2024.
She rejected the description of the unrest as a purely peaceful or spontaneous student movement. Instead, she alleged that it had been carefully organised to bring about regime change outside the electoral process.
Hasina cited earlier comments attributed to Muhammad Yunus to support her allegation that the movement had been planned and directed by unseen organisers.
Hasina’s account remains contested. The demonstrations began as student protests and later developed into a nationwide uprising following a violent crackdown. Hasina has denied ordering unlawful killings and maintains that the legal proceedings against her are politically motivated.
Allegations of Political Persecution
Hasina accused Bangladesh’s post-2024 authorities of carrying out a campaign against Awami League leaders, workers and supporters.
She alleged that party members had been arrested, killed or forcibly disappeared and claimed that people associated with Bangladesh’s Liberation War tradition were no longer safe.
The former prime minister also alleged that religious minorities, journalists and political opponents had been targeted.
Hasina further condemned attacks on sites associated with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, including the historic Dhanmondi 32 residence, which had long served as a symbol of Bangladesh’s independence movement.
These allegations were presented by Sheikh Hasina during her address and have not all been independently verified.
Awami League Ban Must Be Lifted, Hasina Says
Hasina also demanded that restrictions imposed on the Awami League be withdrawn and called for political prisoners to be released.
Her party has been barred from political activity, while Hasina was convicted and sentenced to death in absentia over allegations connected to the 2024 crackdown.
She has rejected the ruling as politically motivated and has questioned the independence of the legal process.
The former prime minister said Bangladesh could not claim to have restored democracy while excluding one of its largest political parties from the political process.
Her proposed return could create a major political and legal confrontation, particularly if Bangladeshi authorities attempt to enforce the judgment against her.
Bangladesh Warned Media Against Broadcasting Address
Hasina’s virtual appearance was organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi.
Before the event, Bangladeshi authorities warned domestic media organisations against broadcasting or publishing her remarks, citing an existing tribunal order restricting the dissemination of her statements.
India said the event was organised by a private organisation and clarified that the Indian government was neither involved in the programme nor endorsing Hasina’s political views.
Bangladesh reportedly raised concerns with New Delhi over allowing the former prime minister to deliver a political address from Indian territory.
Return Could Intensify India–Bangladesh Tensions
Hasina’s continued presence in India has remained a sensitive issue in relations between New Delhi and Dhaka.
Bangladesh has sought her extradition, while India has said the request remains under examination. Her announcement that she plans to return voluntarily in December could affect both the legal process and bilateral relations.
Her return would also test how Bangladesh’s current authorities deal with the country’s longest-serving former prime minister and the leadership of the banned Awami League.
For now, Hasina has not disclosed a specific date, travel arrangement or agreement with Bangladeshi authorities concerning her planned return.
Hasina has not announced an exact return date or explained how she plans to enter Bangladesh.
Any return could immediately place her at the centre of criminal proceedings and a wider political confrontation.
Her declaration nevertheless signals that she intends to remain an influential force in Bangladesh’s deeply divided politics.
