Sheikh Hasina Cites Public Support Behind Decision To Return To Bangladesh

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said she intends to return to the country by December despite the possibility of facing arrest, imprisonment or even death after being removed from power in August 2024. Hasina, who has been living in India since leaving Bangladesh, said her decision was driven by what she described as a call from her supporters and the people of her country. In an interview with news agency AFP, Hasina said she was aware of the risks associated with returning to Bangladesh but remained determined to go back. Responding to questions through email, the 78-year-old leader said she understood that she could face serious consequences upon her return.

“I may be killed. I may be arrested. I may be sent to prison,” Hasina said. “I am fully aware of my fate. Still, I want to go back because my people are calling me.” Hasina’s remarks come amid a continuing political and legal crisis in Bangladesh following her departure from office in August 2024. She was forced to leave the country after a student-led uprising against her government escalated, bringing an end to her 15-year tenure as prime minister. The protests, initially driven by demands over government policies and reforms, expanded into a broader movement against Hasina’s administration. As demonstrations intensified, protesters entered her official residence, prompting her to leave Bangladesh by helicopter and travel to India.

Since her departure, Bangladesh has undergone a major political transition, with a new administration taking charge and legal proceedings being initiated against several former government figures. Hasina has faced allegations linked to actions taken during her final days in power, though she has rejected accusations against her. The former prime minister’s potential return remains uncertain due to the legal challenges awaiting her. Authorities in Bangladesh have pursued cases involving senior members of her government, while political opponents have demanded accountability for events that occurred during her rule.

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Hasina, however, has maintained that her return is connected to her political responsibility and relationship with her supporters. She has argued that leaving the country permanently would go against her commitment to the people who supported her during her long political career. Her departure marked one of the most dramatic moments in Bangladesh’s recent political history. Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had dominated the country’s politics for more than a decade, winning multiple elections and overseeing significant economic development initiatives.

However, her government was also criticised by opposition parties and rights groups over allegations of political repression, restrictions on dissent and challenges to democratic institutions. Her supporters have defended her record, highlighting economic growth and infrastructure development during her tenure. The possibility of Hasina’s return has become a major political issue in Bangladesh. Supporters of her Awami League party continue to demand her involvement in the country’s political future, while opponents argue that she should face legal proceedings before any political comeback.

India’s role has also attracted attention, as Hasina has remained in the country since leaving Bangladesh. The situation has added complexity to bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations, which have maintained close diplomatic and economic ties. As December approaches, Hasina’s stated intention to return is likely to remain a subject of intense political debate. Whether she can safely re-enter Bangladesh, and what legal consequences she may face, will depend on the evolving political and judicial situation in the country.

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