In her first formal public media address since fleeing Dhaka two years ago, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared her intention to return to her homeland in December 2026. Speaking virtually at an event organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) of South Asia in New Delhi, the 78-year-old exiled leader asserted that she is prepared to face any legal or political consequences, including imprisonment or execution.
The announcement comes at a volatile political juncture in Bangladesh, where a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced Hasina to death in absentia over her government’s security crackdown during the 2024 uprising.
“I know they may put me in jail or kill me. I am fully aware of my fate. Still, I will return to my country because my people are calling me. My return is not about seeking power, but putting Bangladesh back on the track of development, secularism, and harmony,” Hasina stated emotionally during her audio-only virtual address.
Dhaka Expresses Outrage; New Delhi Distances Itself
The virtual press conference triggered an immediate diplomatic backlash from Dhaka. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stern statement expressing “deep outrage” that an “absconding convict” was allowed to address international media from Indian soil, warning that such events hurt public sentiment and jeopardize efforts to build harmonious bilateral relations.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that the event was organized entirely by a private press club and held no official government endorsement. New Delhi reiterated its stance that while granting asylum to Hasina on humanitarian grounds, Indian territory will not be permitted for organizing political campaigns against neighboring sovereign states.
Rejection of 2024 Unrest Narratives and Attacks on Supporters
During her address, Hasina rejected claims that the July-August 2024 unrest was a peaceful student movement, alleging that organized groups hijacked the quota protests into a violent political tool aimed at unconstitutional regime change. She broke down while accusing rival political factions of attempting to systematically erase the legacy of her father, Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Highlighting ongoing political vendettas, news emerged shortly after the conference that the ancestral home of former Bangladesh cricket captain and Awami League MP Shakib Al Hasan was vandalized in Bangladesh following his virtual participation in the session.
Tarique Rahman Warns Against Political Resurgence
Reacting to the developments, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman—who assumed office after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won elections in February 2026—warned that creating unnecessary political disputes could assist “ousted autocratic forces” in making a comeback.
As Dhaka continues to press India for Hasina’s extradition under the 2013 bilateral treaty, Hasina’s December return promise sets up a high-stakes showdown that could redefine regional diplomacy across South Asia.
When is Sheikh Hasina planning to return to Bangladesh?
Sheikh Hasina announced during her virtual New Delhi address that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December 2026.
What legal charges does Sheikh Hasina face in Bangladesh?
Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in Dhaka over alleged crimes against humanity during the 2024 protest crackdown.
What was the reaction of the Bangladesh Government to Hasina’s press conference?
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry expressed “outrage,” stating that allowing a convicted absconder to address international media hurts public sentiment and damages bilateral relations.
Who is the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh?
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh is Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who took office following the February 2026 elections.
