Dhaka/New Delhi, June 28: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared that she will return to Bangladesh “within this year,” despite facing legal proceedings, political exile, and a ban on her party, the Awami League.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Hasina said her return was not driven by personal ambition but by what she described as the need to restore democracy, constitutional rights, and the spirit of Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
“The verdict against me is not justice. It is part of an illegal, unconstitutional and politically motivated process,” she said, dismissing the charges against her as politically engineered.
Hasina, who has been living in India since her removal from power in 2024, insisted that her party remains deeply rooted in Bangladesh’s political landscape despite an ongoing nationwide ban and what she claimed were thousands of cases against party leaders and activists.
She accused the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus and the current BNP-led government of undermining democratic institutions and enabling political repression.
The former premier also raised concerns over the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh, alleging increasing attacks on Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and other vulnerable groups.
“Any attack on minorities is an attack on the independence of Bangladesh,” Hasina said, calling for stronger state protection and accountability for communal violence.
On Bangladesh’s political future, Hasina claimed the Awami League would regain power if allowed to contest in a “free, fair and inclusive” election. She rejected reports of backchannel negotiations with the opposition over lifting the ban on her party.
Her remarks come as Bangladesh continues to face political polarization following her ouster and amid growing scrutiny over democratic backsliding, human rights, and minority protection.
Hasina maintained that her political struggle would continue from exile until democracy is restored, expressing confidence that the Awami League would “rise again through the strength of the people.”
