Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December despite facing the possibility of imprisonment—or even death. Making her first media interaction since leaving the country in 2024, Hasina declared that she was prepared to face any consequences because she believed it was her duty to return to her people.
Speaking during a virtual interaction hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi, Hasina said, "They may put me in jail or they may kill me. Anything may happen, but still I have to go back." She added that she could no longer remain outside Bangladesh while, according to her, her supporters and fellow citizens continued to suffer.
Hasina, who led Bangladesh for over 15 years, fled the country in August 2024 after a student-led uprising forced her government from power. Since then, she has been living in India. Bangladesh's authorities later initiated legal proceedings against her, and she has been convicted in absentia on charges related to the 2024 crackdown on protesters. Hasina has consistently denied all allegations, calling the cases politically motivated.
During her address, Hasina also called for the ban on her political party, the Awami League, to be lifted. She argued that the party should be allowed to participate freely in Bangladesh's democratic process and maintained that she would reveal the exact date of her return when the time was appropriate.
Her announcement comes amid continuing political tensions in Bangladesh. Reports indicate that authorities have warned local media against broadcasting her speeches, while relations between India and Bangladesh remain under scrutiny because of Dhaka's extradition request for the former prime minister. India has maintained that the event in New Delhi was privately organised and has not publicly endorsed Hasina's remarks.
Political observers believe Hasina's planned return could significantly influence Bangladesh's political landscape. If she returns as announced, she is expected to face immediate legal action under the existing cases against her. At the same time, her return could energize supporters of the Awami League and intensify political debate ahead of future developments in the country.
Despite the legal and personal risks she acknowledged, Hasina insisted that returning to Bangladesh is a responsibility she cannot avoid. Her declaration has already sparked widespread discussion across South Asia and is expected to remain a major political story in the months leading up to December.
