Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina has once again reiterated her firm resolve that despite the looming risks of arrest, torture, or even death, she will undoubtedly return to Bangladesh in the upcoming month of December, while ever since her government fell in August 2024, Hasina has been residing outside Bangladesh and is currently sheltered in India. Although the government in Bangladesh has continuously demanded her return and extradition from India, the former statesman has brushed aside all such political pressures and legal actions to make a clear declaration regarding her homecoming.
On Monday, Sheikh Hasina virtually participated in a special event organized in Washington DC by the Center for US-Bangladesh Relations. During this virtual address, she emphasized firmly that I will go back to Bangladesh in December. Without any hesitation, she clarified that whether the current government led by Tarique Rahman arrests her, executes her, or subjects her to any form of physical and mental torture, she will still step foot on the soil of her homeland Bangladesh in the month of December.
Risks of Arrest and Violence Will Not Stop Her Steps
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina further stated in her address that I will go back to Bangladesh in December. I've no fear. I know they can kill me, arrest me, and inflict atrocities upon me, but returning to my people is my utmost political responsibility. Although she didn't disclose any specific date or day regarding this return, her intentions appear entirely clear and resolute.
Sheikh Hasina also stressed that upon returning to Bangladesh, she might be sent behind bars or face intense violence, but she firmly believes that as a political leader and out of responsibility, she must stand shoulder to shoulder with her supporters, while she stated unequivocally that returning to Bangladesh is her duty, and the dangers associated with it won't deter her from this decision. She remarked that she doesn't care about the level of risk involved, and she has to go back no matter what. On the other hand, Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy told journalists that no date has been finalized yet, and an official announcement will be made when the time is right.
Expresses Gratitude Toward Indian Government and Citizens
Awami League top leader Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India ever since she was ousted from power. She extended heartfelt thanks to the government of India and the ordinary citizens here for providing a safe shelter to her and her family during this difficult period of political turmoil, while expressing her gratitude, she said, Thank you very much to the Government of India and the people here; they embraced me in the exact same way they did in 1975. She recalled that historical and tragic era when several members of her family were brutally assassinated, and she along with her sister somehow managed to escape and survive safely.
The former prime minister specifically mentioned several similar incidents from her long political career when she returned to Bangladesh despite clear threats to her life. These notably include her return in 1981 after spending many long years abroad following the brutal assassination of her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other family members in 1975. Also, it also includes her courageous decision to return voluntarily during the political emergency imposed in the country in 2007, when various serious criminal charges were leveled against her.
Levies Severe Corruption Charges Against Tarique Rahman Government
Launching a sharp attack on the leadership of current Prime Minister Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Sheikh Hasina leveled serious allegations that he and his party are attempting to completely suppress and crush political opposition by fabricating and pursuing false criminal cases against her and other members of the Awami League. Raising serious questions on the legal validity and transparency of all these cases, she asserted that allegations leveled against any political leader must always be settled through a fair and transparent judicial process rather than a spirit of vengeance.
Appealing to the citizens of the nation, Hasina stated that the political future of Bangladesh must be decided by its ordinary citizens through completely free and inclusive democratic processes, while she strongly urged that my appeal is that the citizens of Bangladesh should choose their government through free and inclusive political processes. The former prime minister strongly advocated for the establishment of independent courts, complete freedom of expression, the liberty to form political organizations and parties, the protection of minorities, and the proper observance of legal procedures.
Future of the Nation Must Rest on Reconciliation, Not Vengeance
She also clarified in her reasoning that excluding or barring various political parties from the right to democratic participation will only deepen the chasm of animosity and division in society, which will ultimately weaken the entire process of national reconciliation. She stated that similarly, those who have opposed my government are also citizens of this nation, and all their democratic rights must be fully respected. The upcoming future of Bangladesh must never rest on the foundation of a spirit of vengeance, but rather on mutual reconciliation and brotherhood.
Hasina also acknowledged that her government had to face difficult questions from the public regarding the functioning of her tenure and particularly the events related to the violent protests that occurred during the year 2024. She said, I accept the difficult questions related to my government, those events of 2024, and the situation that arose subsequently. She also emphasized that whoever it may be, even if allegations are leveled against herself, all of them must be settled strictly within the framework of a transparent and fair legal process.
Expresses Gratitude to US President Donald Trump
During her online address, Sheikh Hasina also extended special thanks to US President Donald Trump. She stated that the decision of the US President to halt USAID funding will entirely prevent public money from falling into the wrong hands. Along with this, she termed the current Bangladesh government led by Tarique Rahman as completely corrupt and leveled extremely grave accusations against it for escalating widespread unemployment, mistreating women, and extortion from the general public. Labeling the current administration as thoroughly corrupt, she made a strong demand for holding fair, free, and transparent elections in Bangladesh.
It's noteworthy that the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh had sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia in November 2025 in connection with taking stern action against the protests held in the year 2024. However, Sheikh Hasina has outright rejected all these charges, labeling them as entirely politically motivated. On the other hand, Dhaka has continuously made formal requests to the Indian government for her extradition, on which New Delhi has clarified that it's examining the request under its internal legal and judicial processes.
On the occasion of the second anniversary of her ouster from power, Hasina had also strongly spoken about her return to the homeland in an audio message released to international media in Delhi. She had stated then that whatever is written in my destiny, I will certainly return to the people of my country. When my compatriots are enduring any form of suffering, I can't stay away from them. She had also acknowledged that she could be detained or thrown into prison, but clarified that fear can never dictate her duty toward the people. She reiterated that the official announcement of the date of her return will be made at the right time.