Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's former prime minister widely known as the "Iron Lady" for her 15 years in power, has publicly declared her intention to return to Bangladesh in December 2026. This marks her first public appearance since fleeing to India two years ago amid mass protests and a death sentence handed down by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal.

Hasina, 78, fled her country in 2024 after thousands of protesters stormed her official residence, culminating weeks of demonstrations against her leadership. Speaking via a poor audio link at New Delhi's Foreign Correspondents' Club, she did not address the crimes for which she was sentenced but instead signaled her ongoing political relevance.

Sreeradha Datta, an international affairs professor at Om Prakash Jindal Global University, noted that despite the Awami League being banned from politics, Hasina's statement is likely to "uplift the lagging spirit" of her loyalists. Datta also suggested that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government fears Hasina's return could trigger a mass mobilisation of Awami League supporters.

"If the Indian government didn't want this to happen, it would not have happened," Professor Datta said, implying India's tacit approval of Hasina's public address and potential return.

For families of the estimated 1,400 people killed during the 2024 protests, Hasina's exile in New Delhi represents denied justice. Meanwhile, some voices in Bangladesh express hope for a more evolved political climate, with one remarking, "We're a different Bangladesh; we're not vindictive like we used to be."

Hasina's announcement raises questions about the future political landscape in Bangladesh as she challenges the current government's authority from abroad.

Sources

ABC Australia News