Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to appear before the world today for the first time in two years, while she will be participating in a virtual program from Delhi, where she's expected to discuss her future plans and the possibilities of her return to Bangladesh. This appearance is highly significant as it coincides with the second anniversary of the day she was ousted from power and arrived in India in 2024.
Details of the Virtual Event
The program is being organized by the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia (FCCSA). The event is scheduled to take place from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Sir Mark Tully Auditorium, located on Mathura Road in New Delhi. For a wider reach, the program will also be broadcast live on the club's various social media platforms. This marks the first time Sheikh Hasina will be seen in a public event since she left Bangladesh on August 5, 2024.
India's Stance on Bangladesh's Warning
The current administration in Bangladesh has reportedly requested India to impose a ban on Sheikh Hasina's speech. However, the Indian government has clarified its position regarding her online address. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated during a press conference on Tuesday that the event is being organized by a private media organization, while he emphasized that the Government of India has no connection with the event and doesn't necessarily support any views expressed on this platform.
The Fall of the 15 Year Regime
This event is being held on the second anniversary of the collapse of Sheikh Hasina's 15 year long rule. The unrest began on August 5, 2024, when a student-led movement against the reservation system transformed into a nationwide anti-government protest. Following violent incidents and the occupation of government buildings by protesters, Sheikh Hasina was forced to leave Bangladesh and seek refuge in India, bringing an end to her nearly 16 year long tenure. Since her arrival in India, she had maintained a distance from public events and the media, making today's address her first major public communication since stepping down.
Changed Political Landscape in Bangladesh
The political environment in Bangladesh has undergone a massive transformation since Sheikh Hasina's departure. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, concluded its term following the general elections held in February 2026. Subsequently, a new government was formed under the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), with Tarique Rahman assuming the office of Prime Minister, while currently, there is intense speculation among the public in Bangladesh regarding how Sheikh Hasina would be treated if she were to return to the country, a question that has already been addressed by a minister in the current Bangladeshi government.