New Delhi: Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s longest-serving former prime minister, currently living in exile in India, has laid out clear conditions for her return home. Speaking in an exclusive email interview with PTI from an undisclosed location, Hasina said that “participatory democracy” and “free, fair, and inclusive elections” are the prerequisites for her comeback to Bangladesh. She also demanded the lifting of the ban on her political party, the Awami League.
Hasina, 78, sharply criticized the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration, accusing it of undermining the long-standing friendship between Dhaka and New Delhi. She warned that the temporary government’s approach was empowering extremist forces and destabilizing the country’s political foundation.
Hasina’s Conditions for Return
In her statement, Hasina expressed gratitude to India for providing her refuge and emphasized that her decision to return would depend on the full restoration of democratic processes in Bangladesh. “A return to participatory democracy is the most crucial requirement for my return to Bangladesh,” she said. “Free, fair, and inclusive elections must be allowed, and the interim administration must lift its ban on the Awami League.”
| Sheikh Hasina’s Key Demands for Return | Details |
|---|---|
| Restoration of Democracy | Calls for a return to participatory democratic governance |
| Free and Fair Elections | Demands internationally monitored elections open to all parties |
| Ban on Awami League | Seeks immediate lifting of restrictions on her party |
| International Trial Option | Offers to face trial at ICC under global supervision |
Background: Fall of the Hasina Government
On August 5, 2024, violent anti-government protests erupted across Bangladesh, forcing Hasina to resign after over 15 years in power. Following her departure, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed to lead a caretaker government. Hasina acknowledged that her administration mishandled the protests, saying, “Obviously, we lost control of the situation, and that was regrettable.”
However, she also blamed “so-called student leaders” and “seasoned political firebrands” for escalating the unrest, claiming they were driven by political motives rather than genuine reform efforts.
Criticism of Interim Government and Its Policies
In her interview, Hasina alleged that the current interim leadership had made “foolish and self-defeating diplomatic blunders” that risk weakening Bangladesh’s foreign relations. “Yunus’ hostility to India is foolish in the extreme and exposes his weakness as an unelected leader dependent on extremist support,” she remarked.
Hasina also reassured Indian citizens concerned about deteriorating relations, saying, “India is and will continue to be Bangladesh’s most significant ally. The interim government doesn’t represent the thinking of our people.”
Election Boycott Rumors and Democratic Legitimacy
The former prime minister dismissed rumors that she had called for a boycott of the upcoming national elections expected in February next year. Instead, she emphasized that elections without her party’s participation would “lack legitimacy.”
“We have the support of tens of millions of people,” Hasina stated. “For our country, which desperately needs a government based on the consent of the people, it would be a grave mistake to exclude the Awami League.”
Legal Proceedings and Hasina’s Defense
Hasina accused Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal—which has initiated proceedings against her—of functioning as a “kangaroo tribunal” controlled by political rivals seeking her elimination. Prosecutors have reportedly sought the death penalty in the case. “They are attempting to neutralize the Awami League and me as political forces,” she said. “It shows their lack of respect for democracy or due process.”
The ex-prime minister reiterated that she was willing to face trial under international supervision, even before the International Criminal Court (ICC). She alleged that Yunus avoided such an impartial process because “he knows that the ICC, being truly unbiased, would clear me.”
Accusations Against Yunus and Western Allies
Hasina further claimed that Yunus’s administration had gained “at least passive support from some Western liberals” who viewed him as a reformist. “Now that they’ve seen him place radicals in his cabinet, discriminate against minorities, and dismantle the constitution, hopefully they are reconsidering their support,” she said.
India-Bangladesh Relations at a Crossroads
Hasina reaffirmed her belief in the “broad and deep” nature of India-Bangladesh relations and expressed confidence that the current diplomatic turbulence would be temporary. “Our partnership has survived many challenges and will endure the foolhardiness of the current interlude,” she said, emphasizing mutual respect and shared history between the two nations.
As the political situation in Dhaka continues to evolve, Hasina’s conditions for return and her statements against the interim administration have reignited debate on Bangladesh’s democratic future and its ties with India.
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