Question 1: May 17 marks your homecoming anniversary. Even if not in 2026, how possible is your return by 2027?
Sheikh Hasina: May 17 is a very emotional and memorable day for me. After six years in exile, on this very day in 1981, having lost my father, mother, brothers, relatives—everything—I returned to Bangladesh relying only on the love of the people of Bangladesh. Even then there were conspiracies against me, there were cases, there were threats to my life. Yet, with the firm determination to complete the unfinished work of the Father of the Nation, I returned, ignoring all conspiracies and the bloodshot eyes of the rulers. Millions of people came out onto the streets that day. Since then, those people have been my strength. Their love still guides me today.
You mentioned the year 2027. Look, the issue of return does not depend on a specific date. We are working to restore a democratic environment in the country, ensure freedom of expression, political rights, and the rule of law. This is not only for my return, but also essential for protecting the country’s independence, sovereignty, and the overall welfare of the people. By uniting the people of the country, we will reach that goal very soon.
But I want to make one thing very clear: my absence does not mean my silence. Every moment I am fighting for the country and working to rescue the people from this dark period. I am working actively at diplomatic levels, within international legal frameworks, and through global media platforms. Our efforts to expose the conspiracy through which the people’s elected Awami League government was removed from power are ongoing. Alongside the people of the country, international stakeholders have also begun to understand this.
During the great Liberation War of 1971, a grave was dug beside the prison cell of the Father of the Nation in Pakistan to pressure him into compromise. He never bowed his head before anyone when it came to the interests of the country. I myself have survived 19 assassination attempts. On August 21, 2004, a grenade attack was carried out to destroy my party. But nothing has been able to stop me. Since the Almighty has kept me alive, I will return to the soil of Bangladesh very soon. I will return with my head held high, with the pride of restoring democracy in the country.
Question 2: The people of Bengal want to see you healthy, strong, and leading energetically for many more years. How is a return possible if there is a ban on the Awami League?
Sheikh Hasina: As I said earlier, the love of the people is my greatest strength. Throughout my life, I have worked for the development of the people of Bangladesh, whether from government or opposition. Whenever we came to power, we worked for the development of the country and its people. The benefits of the development carried out by Awami League governments are being enjoyed by all people of the country. People now understand even more clearly that the Awami League is their only refuge. They keep me in their prayers every moment. Their prayers and love have kept me healthy and strong.
Look, the Awami League is a party of the masses. This party was not born as a king’s party through the barrel of a gun or by the blessings of power. Therefore, no paper ban can ever suppress this party. In 1958, military ruler Ayub Khan banned the activities of the Awami League. In 1971, the then Pakistan government banned the Awami League. If bans could suppress the Awami League, Bangladesh itself would never have been born.
Even after the assassination of the Father of the Nation along with his family, the then ruling clique tried in every possible way to suppress and destroy the Awami League. But the Awami League has always returned stronger. Those who think this ban is permanent should look at the pages of history. Though this ban reflects a temporary use of power by those in office, in reality it is a reflection of their fear. They fear the Awami League because if the Awami League is able to conduct democratic political programs, it will become difficult for them to continue their anti-state activities. That is why this ban exists.
But has the Awami League really been suppressed despite the ban? We still have millions of supporters and hundreds of thousands of activists inside the country. Despite attacks, lawsuits, imprisonment, oppression, and repression, they remain united. Against all anti-state activities and misrule of the illegal interim government led by Dr. Yunus and the BNP government formed through what she described as a staged election, only Awami League leaders, activists, and supporters are speaking out. Even today, my Chhatra League boys are standing beside helpless farmers and helping harvest their crops.
The Awami League cannot be suppressed. This party lives in the hearts of people, in their love. In the interests of the country and its people, the return of the Awami League is inevitable; it is only a matter of time. Empowered by the strength of the people, we will return stronger and more organized.
Question 3: There is discussion in various circles about organizational purification within the Awami League. Is there any truth to this?
Sheikh Hasina: Look, the Awami League is a democratic party. Ideological workers are the life force of this party, and they determine the leadership. Whether you call it purification or reform, it is a normal and ongoing process. This applies to political parties around the world. Since the Awami League is the largest political party in Bangladesh, complaints or allegations against certain individuals associated with the party may arise in some cases. We consider those matters seriously. The Awami League never tolerates wrongdoing. Even while in power, Awami League ministers and MPs involved in wrongdoing were brought before the law.
At the same time, we must remember that political opponents conspire to break parties apart in the name of purification or reform. This has been attempted many times. I want to state clearly that the Awami League has the ability to cleanse its own house. This purification will happen through the party’s internal democratic processes and accountability to party workers and the people—not according to the prescriptions of conspirators.
At present, we are going through a natural purification process. Ideological leaders and activists are speaking out from their respective positions in favor of the Awami League and the country. Those who continue to speak for the Awami League despite oppression and repression are the real driving force of the party; they are the true Awami League. But those who merely used the Awami League as a shield to pursue personal interests have already changed sides or fallen silent. I would tell party leaders and activists not to lose hope. Gold becomes pure through fire. This difficult time has made you purer. At the end of this fiery period, the Awami League will emerge more purified and stronger through your hands.
Question 4: Will Awami League leaders who left the country return?
Sheikh Hasina: I disagree with the term “those who left the country.” None of them left voluntarily. The state repression that has descended upon Awami League leaders and activists since August 5, 2024, is unprecedented not only in Bangladesh but in world history. The illegal interim government led by Dr. Yunus has carried out what she described as a silent political genocide against Awami League leaders, activists, and supporters, and it continues to this day.
Around six hundred of our leaders and activists have been brutally killed. Elderly and mentally ill individuals were not spared from the massacre. More than 150,000 leaders and activists have been arrested in false cases at various levels. Their homes and businesses have been vandalized, burned, and occupied. Thousands of activists remain imprisoned, and even proper prison rights are being denied. The oppressive ruling clique has not even allowed people to attend the funeral prayers of loved ones.
Thousands of Chhatra League students have had their studentships canceled, certificates revoked, and their fundamental right to education taken away. Thousands of officials and employees in the administration, law enforcement agencies, and various government services have been dismissed simply for supporting the spirit of the Liberation War and the ideals of the Awami League. False cases and harassment continue daily.
In such a horrific situation, many have been forced to leave the country to save their lives. Many of them are working to organize the party, create international public opinion, and present the truth about Bangladesh to global human rights organizations. Through active engagement on social media, they are exposing the conspirators before the people of the country. Regarding their return, I would say they will come back as soon as a minimum democratic environment and the rule of law are restored in the country.
I especially want to thank the leaders and activists who remain inside the country. They are the brave fighters of this time. They are enduring immense repression while holding onto the soil of Bangladesh and continuing party programs despite all adversity. Their sacrifice and struggle will not go in vain. The party will give them the highest recognition. Those living abroad must also establish their position within the party through their work.
Question 5: Bangladesh is currently facing a severe financial crisis. Ordinary people are still benefiting from the infrastructure built under your leadership. If you were still leading the government, how would this crisis have been resolved?
Sheikh Hasina: You have raised a very important issue. The fundamental basis of Awami League politics is ensuring the welfare of the people. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman created Bangladesh with the dream of building a hunger- and poverty-free, discrimination-free, prosperous Golden Bengal. Through completing the unfinished work of the Father of the Nation, I have worked tirelessly for the development of poor, distressed, and working people.
During our uninterrupted 16 years in power after 2008 across four consecutive terms, we were able to place Bangladesh on a strong foundation through long-term planning, proper financial management, and disciplined implementation. We implemented mega projects such as the Padma Bridge, Metro Rail, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, Karnaphuli Tunnel, and Bangabandhu Satellite. We ensured nationwide electrification, which expanded trade and commerce. Bangladesh gained recognition on the world stage as a role model for development and as a rising tiger of Asia.
Some statistics may help clarify the matter. In 2006, the final budget of the BNP-led four-party alliance government was 700 billion taka, per capita income was $482, and the country’s GDP size was $70 billion. In contrast, our final budget for 2024–25 stood at 7.97 trillion taka, per capita income reached $2,784, and GDP rose to $450 billion. These figures prove how strongly we had strengthened the economy, the benefits of which were enjoyed by ordinary people.
But after taking power through what she described as a meticulously designed process, the interim government led by Dr. Yunus destroyed the country’s economy. Major industries were shut down through mob violence. One factory after another closed, leaving hundreds of thousands unemployed. Due to the severe deterioration in law and order, foreign investment has fallen to its lowest level in history. During one and a half years in power, they not only failed to undertake development, but also halted many projects initiated during our tenure. They destroyed the banking sector. In just eighteen months, they borrowed 3.73 trillion taka from domestic and foreign sources. This trend, she said, continues under the current government led by Tarique Rahman. In only three months, they have borrowed nearly one trillion taka. The economy is now facing a catastrophic situation. There is no electricity, no oil, no gas, no fertilizer, no irrigation water. Employment has shrunk, reducing people’s income, while prices of essentials continue rising. Altogether, people are passing through an unbearable crisis.
Now to answer your question directly: if I had remained in office, this situation would never have occurred. When we formed the government in 2009, we inherited a collapsing economy while the world was facing a severe economic recession. From that condition, we pulled the country forward.
While in office, the Awami League government also confronted one of the worst disasters in human history—the COVID-19 pandemic. We did not let the people suffer unnecessarily because the core objective of the Awami League government is public welfare. In contrast, Yunus seized power for personal interests. Sacrificing the interests of the country and the people, he pursued that objective. Tarique Rahman, she alleged, has continued the same path through compromise arrangements that allowed him to assume power. That is why the country is now in such a tragic condition.
Question 6: Children are dying from measles every day in Bangladesh. Why has the current government failed to utilize the systems you established?
Sheikh Hasina: Every child’s death tears apart my heart. I am a mother; the cries of helpless parents echo constantly in my ears. The most unfortunate thing is that children are dying from a disease that we had nearly brought down to zero, and had everything remained on track, we would have declared Bangladesh measles-free by 2026. But for dishonest motives and personal interests, the illegal interim government disrupted the vaccination program by introducing a new procurement method for vaccines. Due to the incompetence and indifference of the current government, the disease has now spread like an epidemic. At present, more than fifty thousand children in 61 districts have been infected, and over six hundred children have died. The line of coffins grows longer every day. This is not an accident; this is an administrative crime.
During my tenure, we achieved extraordinary progress in the health sector. By establishing more than 14,000 community clinics, we brought healthcare services to people’s doorsteps. Through the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), and in coordination with UNICEF and GAVI, we carried out regular vaccination campaigns that nearly eliminated infectious diseases among children. Bangladesh’s vaccination program became a global role model, and in recognition of this, GAVI awarded me the Vaccine Hero honor. During our time, maternal and child mortality rates were among the lowest in South Asia.
Let me remind you that even during the global COVID-19 pandemic, through dedicated efforts, timely planning, and proper implementation, we successfully managed the crisis. Even under extreme adverse conditions, we rapidly established testing centers, ensured medical treatment, and arranged vaccines for the people. As a result, Bangladesh’s proportional death rate from COVID remained lower than many developed countries. This was possible because of our people-oriented political commitment.
In the 2024–25 fiscal year, our final budget allocated 410 billion taka for the health sector. Additional allocations were also reserved to ensure uninterrupted vaccination programs. Yet the illegal interim government ignored warnings from UNICEF and WHO and canceled the regular vaccine procurement process. They did not just destroy the vaccination program; they destroyed the entire health sector. Children were not even provided with regular Vitamin A capsules. Government hospitals now lack emergency medical supplies. There are shortages of rabies and anti-venom injections. Population control programs have also been severely disrupted. During COVID, we established ICU facilities in 42 districts, but due to lack of maintenance, those units have been left inoperable. As a result, we are now witnessing the tragic deaths of helpless children.
My question is: despite sufficient budget allocations, why was the vaccination program disrupted? Why are hospitals facing shortages of medical supplies? Where did the 420 billion taka budget go? Instead of investigating these issues, the current government remains busy blaming the Awami League through propaganda. Yet when measles outbreaks began appearing in March, proper measures could still have contained the spread and reduced child deaths. But they do not care about the people. The deaths of children do not cause them pain. Everything is merely a tool for political propaganda. I want to state firmly that every individual responsible for the deaths of children from measles will be brought under the law. One day, the people will judge them.
Question 7: What steps is the Awami League taking to secure the release of imprisoned leaders, journalists, and intellectuals?
Sheikh Hasina: Since August 5, 2024, the country’s judiciary has been turned into a political weapon. You surely remember how Supreme Court judges were forced to resign through mob pressure. Appointments to the Supreme Court and High Court were made with individuals aligned with political agendas. There is no precedent for this anywhere in world history. Hundreds of thousands of our leaders and activists, as well as journalists, intellectuals, and even minority community leaders who believe in the ideals of the Liberation War, have been detained for months without trial under false cases. They are being denied even their minimum legal rights.
Lawyers defending our leaders are being attacked while standing in court. Mobs are even being formed inside courtrooms. Even elections to bar associations did not allow participation by individuals who believe in the ideals of the Liberation War. The justice system—the most important pillar for establishing rule of law—has instead been turned into a tool for political revenge.
Despite all obstacles and adversity, we are continuing legal battles both at home and abroad for the release of our leaders and activists. At the same time, we are regularly sending reports and maintaining communication with the United Nations, the European Union, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and various international and human rights organizations. Our leaders and supporters abroad are also raising the issue of judicial injustice in Bangladesh before foreign governments and organizing protests demanding the release of political prisoners.
I call upon all democratic nations, international organizations, and the people of our country to speak out against this anarchic state of the judiciary. This is not merely a political matter; it concerns fundamental human rights. If this culture of impunity continues, it will not affect only the Awami League—it will victimize everyone. Together with the people, we will break these chains of injustice and restore the rule of law in Bangladesh.
Question 8: The current government is promoting anti-India rhetoric while deepening ties with China and Pakistan. How do you view this? You had controlled extremism. Is militancy now being encouraged again?
Sheikh Hasina: Look, the fundamental principle of our foreign policy is friendship with all and malice toward none. The primary objective of this friendship is public welfare, and its foundation is justice and equality. This principle is embedded in our Constitution. In the interest of the people, the Awami League government maintained normal and trustworthy relations with all friendly nations, and they, in turn, extended cooperation to us. That is why we were able to achieve unprecedented development in Bangladesh.
Our relationship with India is historic. India is not only our neighboring state, but its contribution to the great Liberation War is undeniable. However, in our country, anti-India sentiment has long been used as a political weapon by ideological anti-independence forces. It is one of the main tools of their politics. Therefore, they constantly practice anti-India rhetoric for narrow political purposes. The illegal interim government led by Dr. Yunus also joined in this campaign.
Our political opponents have always accused the Awami League of “selling the country to India” and signing anti-national agreements. Yet during the eighteen months of the interim government and the tenure of the current administration, they have failed to produce even a single such agreement. I believe the people now understand the falsehood of those accusations.
Let me remind you that 21 years after the assassination of the Father of the Nation, when we returned to power in 1996, we signed the Ganges Water Treaty. In 2014, through the resolution of maritime boundary disputes at an international court, we added nearly 20,000 square kilometers of maritime territory to Bangladesh’s map from India. In 2015, through the historic Land Boundary Agreement, we permanently resolved the enclave issue between the two countries. We also ensured transshipment facilities in the interests of our business community. The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline that we established is now functioning as a lifeline for Bangladesh’s energy sector during the global energy crisis.
In other words, the Awami League has always pursued foreign relations transparently and in the interests of the people. For the sake of power or personal gain, the Awami League has never served another state’s interests or signed anti-national agreements.
But under the Yunus-led interim administration and the current government, we are witnessing the country’s interests being sacrificed repeatedly. I believe the people of Bangladesh have already begun to understand this.
You raised the issue of militancy. This is not only a threat to Bangladesh, but also to regional and global security. You surely remember that during the BNP-Jamaat coalition government from 2001 to 2006, Bangladesh became a sanctuary for militancy. Coordinated bomb blasts were carried out in 63 districts across the country. A grenade attack was launched against me. Several Awami League leaders were killed in militant attacks. Judges were murdered. Cultural institutions and religious places of worship were attacked. British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury was also targeted in a militant attack. There were even incidents such as the importation of ten truckloads of illegal weapons under state patronage.
When we came to power, we declared zero tolerance against militancy and used all our strength to free Bangladesh from extremism. Through modernization of law enforcement agencies, formation of specialized anti-terror units, and proper surveillance, we were able to bring militancy under control. Although tragic incidents such as the Holey Artisan attack occurred during the rise of global terrorism while we were in office, we identified those involved, brought them under the law, and ensured justice. As a result, Bangladesh became a secure land free from militancy.
But after August 5, we saw convicted top militants released from prison. No action was taken against escaped extremists. As a result, the spread of radicalism began from the very start of the interim government. Banned organizations resumed activities openly. Many individuals convicted of militancy and terrorism entered parliament through what she described as staged elections. In other words, the dark days of 2001–06 are returning. The black shadow of extremism has spread even among members of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. This is undoubtedly a major threat to national security.
Another alarming matter is that many members of law enforcement and intelligence agencies who played crucial roles in combating extremism have been dismissed, arrested under false cases, and continuously harassed. On one hand, those linked to militancy are being released and operating openly; on the other, security personnel who fought militancy are facing state persecution. This, she argued, proves that extremist expansion has been taking place under direct state patronage since August 2024.
Question 9: Are you seeking support from friendly nations and international organizations to help build an inclusive society in Bangladesh?
Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesh is currently passing through a critical period. Through illegal prohibitions, the political and democratic rights of a large segment of the population have been taken away. The ruling authorities have transformed the judiciary into a political weapon and introduced a culture of repression and fear. This cannot be the character of a democratic state.
Bangladesh’s economy is now devastated. Public life is suffering under one crisis after another. Law and order has deteriorated severely. Top criminals are roaming freely, displaying weapons openly, while innocent people are being imprisoned. The most vulnerable groups are women, children, and minority communities. Rape has assumed epidemic proportions. Militancy is once again raising its head. The country’s cultural heritage is being destroyed. The spirit of the Liberation War has been trampled. Anti-independence war criminals are sitting in parliament and laughing openly. Relations with friendly countries are deteriorating, while controversial foreign policies are pushing Bangladesh toward international isolation. This situation cannot continue.
I seek the cooperation of all democratic nations and international organizations. I want to send them a clear message: what is happening in Bangladesh is not merely an internal issue of one country. It involves fundamental questions of human rights and democratic values. If democracy fails in Bangladesh, if a fundamentalist state emerges, if a culture of impunity takes root, then 180 million people will suffer, and the impact will extend to regional and global security.
My appeal to everyone is this: try to understand the real situation in Bangladesh. Democracy, human rights, and the rule of law are not selective principles. To build an inclusive state, these rights must be ensured for everyone. The time has come for the international community to stand beside the truth.
My message to the people of Bangladesh is: do not lose hope. Empowered by your strength, the Awami League will return. Democracy will return. Good governance will return. Every leader and activist of the Awami League will continue the struggle to build a democratic, inclusive, non-communal, prosperous Bangladesh. Imprisonment, repression, torture, persecution, and kangaroo court verdicts will not be able to suppress the Awami League. Breaking through every conspiracy, Bangladesh will once again stand proudly before the world under the leadership of the Awami League.
“Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.”
