Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in India since August 2024, announced her intention to return to Bangladesh in December. During a virtual conference on Monday, she acknowledged the significant risks associated with her return, including the possibility of being killed, arrested, or tortured. Hasina stated, “I know. If I go back, the moment I land, they can kill me, or they can arrest me and torture me.” Her comments were made while participating in an event organised by the Center for US-Bangladesh Relations in Washington, DC.

Context of Her Exile and Future Plans

Sheikh Hasina’s remarks come several months after she first indicated her desire to return to Dhaka by December. Although she did not provide a specific date during the recent event, she reiterated her commitment to her country, saying, “It’s my responsibility to go.” This statement aligns with her earlier declarations made during a virtual press conference in Delhi, where she expressed her determination to return despite the potential consequences. She remarked, “Whatever fate awaits me, I will return to my people. I cannot stay away while my beloved countrymen are suffering.”

Hasina has faced legal challenges in Bangladesh, including a death sentence handed down by a Bangladeshi court. Despite these challenges, she emphasised that her return is not about seeking power but about restoring development, secularism, and stability to her country. She has previously stated that the Awami League’s involvement in democratic politics is crucial for the nation’s future.

In interviews conducted in July with Reuters and AFP, Hasina acknowledged the dangers of her planned return. She mentioned that both she and senior members of the Awami League intend to return in December and surrender to the courts. She expressed her willingness to face arrest or even death, saying, “If death comes, I want it to come on my own soil, where my parents are buried and where their blood was shed.”

Gratitude Towards India and Allegations Against the Interim Government

During her address at the US-based press conference, Hasina expressed gratitude to the Indian government for providing her refuge. She noted, “I was not prepared to leave my country, but somehow I reached here. I thank the Indian government and the people here.” Hasina also alleged that over 600 cases have been filed against her, while the interim government in Dhaka has granted immunity to those responsible for the alleged crimes.

In November 2025, Hasina was convicted of crimes against humanity in absentia by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, relating to the crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. She has consistently denied the charges, asserting that the legal proceedings were politically motivated. Both the previous interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus and the current Rahman government have requested India to extradite her, a request that New Delhi is currently reviewing through its judicial and internal legal processes.

As the situation develops, Sheikh Hasina’s planned return to Bangladesh remains a focal point of discussion, reflecting the ongoing political tensions and challenges within the country. Her determination to return underscores her commitment to her party and the people of Bangladesh, despite the serious risks she faces upon her arrival.

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