Published: 01:00 AM, 29 June 2026
Sheikh Hasina Reiterates Determination for Returning to Bangladesh
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return to her country this year, according to an interview published on Sunday in an Indian news outlet, months after she was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity.
Sheikh Hasina, 78, moved to neighbouring India in August 2024 after a student-led uprising ended her 15 years long ruling period.
She has not been seen in public since, except for a rare speech broadcast to a packed press club in New Delhi in January 2026.
In an interview with an Indian broadcaster Sheikh Hasina said she was not afraid of death and that the verdict against her was "part of an illegal, unconstitutional and politically motivated process".
"Many conspiracies have been hatched against me. But breaking through every web of conspiracy, I was elected Prime Minister five times by the people's vote and worked for the country's unprecedented development," Sheikh Hasina said.
"I want to say clearly: overcoming every obstacle and every conspiracy, I will return to my country this year," she added in response to a question on whether she would return despite the death penalty verdict.
In November 2025, Sheikh Hasina was found guilty by a Dhaka court of incitement, order to kill and inaction to prevent atrocities and sentenced to be hanged.
The activities of her former ruling Awami League, once one of the country's most popular, have been outlawed.
Ties between India and Bangladesh have improved since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman won a landslide election victory in the South Asian nation of 180 million people in February 2026.
But frictions remain, with Bangladesh repeatedly demanding Sheikh Hasina's extradition.
Sheikh Hasina contrasted that with what she described as stability and development during her own time in office.
Sheikh Hasina also portrayed the Awami League's organizational structure as one of its greatest strengths, saying its roots extended into every level of Bangladesh's political landscape. It may be recalled that Awami League founded Bangladesh through the Liberation War of 1971 in which Pakistan Army was defeated.
Sheikh Hasina affirmed that political persecution had strengthened Awami League over last nearly two years far more than the past history.
"Gold becomes purer in fire. In the same way, oppression and persecution by rulers are making the Awami League stronger every day," she said.
Marking the party's anniversary, Hasina urged supporters to remain united and deepen their engagement with communities across the country.
She called on party workers to stand beside persecuted people and defend the rights of minorities, women, children and marginalized communities.
"The politics of the Awami League is not for revenge. It is the politics of rights, security, dignity, and development," she told NDTV.
She argued that its recovery rested solely on public support, saying the ban, the closure of party offices and legal cases against its leaders had failed to erase the party from public life.
The former Premier claimed pro-Awami League processions continued to take place across Bangladesh despite what she described as sustained repression by law-enforcing agencies, with ordinary citizens increasingly joining demonstrations alongside party activists.
She also complained that the deployment of the army, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police during the party's anniversary reflected official concern over the Awami League's organizational strength rather than its decline.
Sheikh Hasina added that lifting the ban on the party, withdrawing what she called false cases and allowing peaceful political activity were essential to restore a democratic political environment in Bangladesh.
