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Hasina vows return
Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, living in India since her government’s ouster in 2024, said she plans to return to Bangladesh “later this year” and added, “I do not fear death”.
“Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pledged to return to her country "this year," according to an interview broadcast on Sunday, after months since the issuance of a death sentence in absentia against her on charges related to crimes against humanity”
In an NDTV interview, Hasina tied her return to “the political rights of the people of Bangladesh, the restoration of democracy, the rule of law, and the spirit of our Liberation War.”
The Times of India said her rivals termed the remarks “a tactic to exert pressure” to disrupt the current political situation in Bangladesh.
The Times of India also reported that political circles in Dhaka were “abuzz with reports of a resurgence of her banned Awami League” in both rural and urban areas, and that the Tarique Rahman govt allowed members to contest local polls as independent candidates.
NDTV reported that Hasina marked Awami League’s 77th Founding Day on June 23 “in defiance of a nationwide ban,” with “Dozens of its activists” arrested amid tight security.
Death sentence and legal fight
Hasina’s return pledge came as she faces a death sentence in absentia, with Dawn saying she was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and that she fled to India in August 2024 after a student-led uprising ended her 15-year rule.
Dawn reported that in an NDTV interview Hasina said the verdict against her was “part of an illegal, unconstitutional and politically motivated process”.
The Times of India said governing BNP and opposition Jamaat-eIslami (JeI) sought to remind her of the death sentence she faces in “crimes against humanity” cases and “the several trials pending against her.”
In the same NDTV interview transcript, Hasina said, “The verdict against me is not justice. It is part of an illegal, unconstitutional, and politically motivated process.”
NDTV also quoted Hasina saying, “I do not fear death,” and recalled that “On 21 August, there was an attempt to kill me with grenades.”
Minorities, party ban, and politics
Hasina used her return message to argue that “Any attack on the minorities is an attack on the independence of Bangladesh,” as NDTV reported in its account of her NDTV interview.
“Bangladesh’s fugitive former leader Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return to her country “this year”, according to an interview published on Sunday, months after she was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity”
NDTV said Hasina described the current political environment as lacking “democracy,” “rule of law,” and “security,” and said “Minorities are under attack. Extremism is spreading.”
The Times of India reported that Hasina attacked the Tarique Rahman-led BNP govt and the Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt, saying, “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.”
The Times of India also quoted JeI chief ATM Azharul Islam questioning whether BNP was trying to rehabilitate Awami League, asking, “Will you run the country alone? Do you want to establish a one-party rule?”
NDTV framed Hasina’s political comeback as a challenge to the ban on her party, reporting that Awami League supporters held events despite arrests and heavy security as the party marked its 77th Founding Day on June 23.
