Hasina Announces Imminent Return to Bangladesh
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared on Sunday, "I will be back home this year," signaling the end of her exile in India. Hasina has been living in India since August 2024 after her government was ousted during a student-led protest movement.
Awami League Unshaken by Crackdown
In an interview with NDTV, Hasina dismissed doubts about her Awami League party's ability to stage a political comeback despite ongoing crackdowns under the successive governments of Muhammad Yunus and BNP's Tarique Rahman. She asserted that the Awami League is not a "paper organisation" but a "force," stating that the party's return does not depend on the failures of its opponents. "The Awami League creates its own path with the people," she said.
Hasina criticized the current BNP government as unconstitutional, alleging it came to power through a "staged election." She claimed, "There is no democracy. There is no rule of law. There is no security. The economy has weakened. Minorities are under attack. Extremism is spreading." She added that the Awami League cannot be suppressed by force, saying, "A party that can create a people's awakening cannot be stopped through fear and intimidation."
Death Sentence Dismissed as Politically Motivated
Responding to questions about the death sentence handed down by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka, Hasina termed the proceedings "illegal, unconstitutional and politically motivated." She stated, "The verdict against me is not justice. It is part of an illegal, unconstitutional and politically motivated process. The judiciary has been turned into an instrument of political revenge to make the Awami League leaderless. Such attempts have been made before. They failed then, and they will fail again."
Allegations of External Conspiracy and Defense of Past Record
Hasina alleged that the ouster of her government was orchestrated by "anti-Bangladesh forces" that misled the public. Defending the Awami League's record in office, she cited what she described as the government's economic and social achievements. According to Hasina, Bangladesh recorded GDP growth of 7.25 percent during her tenure, while foreign direct investment increased fivefold. She also claimed that poverty fell to 18.7 percent and extreme poverty to 5.6 percent.
Minorities Under Attack Since Ouster
The former PM further alleged that Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, indigenous communities, Ahmadis and followers of Sufi traditions have remained unsafe since her ouster. She claimed that temples have been vandalized, homes looted, and incidents of extortion, violence against women and disruption of religious ceremonies have continued.
Hasina emphasized that the Awami League's ability to translate people's aspirations into a political movement is rooted in the legacy of Bangladesh's founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She expressed confidence that her party would overcome the current challenges and return to power.
