Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh has restated her wish to return Bangladesh in December and has indicated that she is ready to go there whether it be under the Shadow-Bags or under the actual government headed by Tarique Rahman, and would not hesitate to be arrested, beaten and even tortured. However, she hasn’t yet unveiled a definite date for her scheduled comeback.
They were made during a virtual speech at a press conference in Washington, to which she had attended after she left Bangladesh in August 2024 after her own government fell. Her decision wasn’t likely to be effected by the risks, she said, and it was a political responsibility to go back.
“When I come back to Bangladesh I won’t be scared, I know they can kill me, arrest me and torture me. It’s my responsibility to go,” Sheikh Hasina said.
Even if there are dangers involved there she was willing to go back, she added. Later, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy told journalists which couldn’t be determined a specific date and that more details would be released nearer to the date of return.
Hasina assumes praise from India for providing shelter to the nationals of her country.
Since taking leave of office, the Awami League leader has been staying in India. In her speech, she expressed her gratitude to the Government and the people of India for supporting her with shelter and encouragement during the political unrest in Bangladesh.
Hasina likened the backing she was given to what India had provided her during the period of the assassination of several of her family members during 1975, when she and her sister escaped with their lives after her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was murdered.
A History of Returning Despite Political Risks
Hasina also quoted previous instances in her political career where she had returned to Bangladesh despite ensuring her safety.
She came back after spending years in exile following the deaths of her father and other relatives in the assassination in 1975. She also remembered that she talked to the Deputy Chief when she came back in 2007, during the political emergency when she was accused of crimes.
The move by her is a new gesture of returning to Bangladesh’s politicians arena, but the conditions and timing of possible return is not clear right now.