Sheikh Hasina: Return to Bangladesh Hinges on Democracy Restoration

Ousted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared she will return to her homeland only after the revival of “participatory democracy” and the lifting of the ban on her party, the Awami League. In a statement provided to PTI from an undisclosed location in India, Hasina expressed her gratitude towards India for offering her refuge amidst a turbulent political landscape.

Hasina remains steadfast in her condition for returning to Bangladesh. “The most important condition for my return to Bangladesh is the same condition that the Bangladeshi people require: a return to participatory democracy,” she stated, underscoring the urgency for free and fair elections.

The political environment in Bangladesh has been increasingly polarized since Hasina’s departure on August 5, 2024, following violent anti-government protests. After weeks of unrest, she resigned and sought refuge in India, a country she describes as Bangladesh’s most significant ally.

In her exclusive interview, she accused the unelected administration led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus of jeopardizing Bangladesh’s relationship with India and fostering extremist elements. “Yunus’s hostility to India is foolish and self-defeating… He is unelected, chaotic, and dependent on extremist forces,” she remarked, adding that such diplomatic blunders could undermine Bangladesh’s strategic partnerships.

Hasina acknowledged the government’s handling of the protests as a failure but placed much of the blame on political actors she described as “seasoned political firebrands masquerading as student leaders.” She emphasized that her government did not manage to control the turmoil effectively.

Addressing allegations regarding her call for a boycott of forthcoming elections, scheduled for February 2025, Hasina categorically denied such claims, stating that any election disregarding the Awami League would lack legitimacy. “Tens of millions of people support us… It would be a huge missed opportunity for a country that badly needs a government with genuine consent of the people,” she asserted.

In light of concerns regarding democracy in Bangladesh, Hasina expressed her willingness to face trial under international supervision, even at the International Criminal Court. “An impartial tribunal would acquit me,” she stated, while dismissing the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal as a politically motivated entity aimed at silencing her and her party.

“They want to eliminate us as political forces. The fact that they would use the death penalty to silence opponents shows how little respect they have for democracy or due process,” she said, emphasizing the dire need for democratic governance.

While expressing her dissatisfaction with the current political climate, Hasina has also pointed out a shift in Western liberal support for Yunus, who she accuses of appointing radicals to his cabinet and undermining minority rights. She warned that the erosion of civil liberties would not go unnoticed by international observers.

Assuing Indian citizens uneasy due to recent developments in Bangladesh, Hasina reaffirmed that the interim government does not represent the sentiments of the Bangladeshi populace. “India is and will remain our nation’s most important friend,” she concluded, reinforcing her commitment to restoring democratic values in her country.