Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she will return to Bangladesh this year despite facing legal proceedings and a death penalty, describing the case against her as politically motivated and vowing to continue her struggle for democracy.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, the exiled Awami League leader said her return was driven by the need to restore democratic rights and the rule of law rather than personal ambition. She asserted that the Awami League remained a powerful political force despite being banned, claiming the party continued to enjoy widespread public support.
Hasina accused Bangladesh's current leadership of weakening democratic institutions, curbing political freedoms, and presiding over economic decline. She also alleged that attacks on minority communities had increased since her removal from power, calling such incidents "an attack on the independence of Bangladesh."
The former premier claimed the Awami League had been unfairly excluded from the political process and maintained that the ban on the party should be lifted to ensure a democratic environment. She denied reports of any backchannel negotiations with the government, saying constitutional rights could not be the subject of secret deals.
Reflecting on her exile in India, Hasina said she remained in regular contact with her family but was deeply pained to be away from Bangladesh. She added that she continued to monitor developments in the country and would keep working for what she described as the restoration of democracy.
Hasina, who was forced out of office in 2024, reiterated that she was confident of returning to Bangladesh before the end of the year.