New Delhi: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that she intends to return to Bangladesh later this year, marking her clearest statement yet on her political future since leaving the country. She said her return is driven not by a desire for power but by a commitment to restoring democracy, the rule of law, and the rights of the people.
In an interview, Hasina said she would not abandon the people of Bangladesh and expressed confidence that she would return to her homeland within this year despite the challenges. She alleged that democratic institutions, political freedoms, and the rights of citizens have come under severe strain under the current political situation.
Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh in August 2024 following widespread anti-government protests that led to her removal from office. Since then, she has been staying in India. During her absence, several legal cases have been filed against her in Bangladesh, and she has reportedly been sentenced to death in absentia in one case, a verdict she has described as politically motivated.
The former prime minister said she would continue working with her party and supporters to strengthen democratic values and ensure the restoration of constitutional governance in Bangladesh. She expressed confidence that democracy would ultimately prevail and that she would soon be back among the people of her country.
Political observers believe Hasina’s statement could significantly influence Bangladesh’s political landscape, with her anticipated return likely to become a major issue in the country’s evolving political developments.