My return to Bangladesh depends on democracy and free elections: Sheikh Hasina

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her return home will depend on the restoration of “participatory democracy,” the lifting of the ban on her party, the Awami League, and the holding of “free, fair, and inclusive” elections.

In an exclusive email interview with PTI from an undisclosed location in India, Hasina accused the unelected administration led by Muhammad Yunus of “endangering ties with India and empowering extremist forces.”

Contrasting her foreign policy with that of the current interim government, Hasina said the “broad and deep” ties between Dhaka and New Delhi should be able to withstand the “foolhardiness of the Yunus interlude.”

She expressed gratitude to India for sheltering her, saying she was “immensely grateful to India’s government and its people for their kind hospitality.”

“The most important condition for my return to Bangladesh is the same condition that the Bangladeshi people require: a return to participatory democracy. The interim administration must rescind its ban on the Awami League and allow elections that are free, fair, and inclusive,” Hasina told PTI.

Hasina, Bangladesh’s longest-serving prime minister, left the country on August 5, 2024, following weeks of violent anti-government protests that led to her resignation. She later moved to India, paving the way for the Yunus-led interim administration.

When asked if her government mishandled the protests, the 78-year-old leader admitted, “Obviously, we lost control of the situation and that was regrettable.” She added, “There are many lessons to be learned from these terrible incidents, but in my view, some of the responsibility is also on the so-called student leaders (actually seasoned political firebrands) who whipped up the crowds.”

Hasina denied reports that she had called for a boycott of the elections scheduled for February next year. She insisted that any polls excluding the Awami League would lack legitimacy.

“Tens of millions of people support us... That would be a huge missed opportunity for our country, which badly needs a government ruling with the people's genuine consent. I hope this foolish ban will be rescinded... Whether in government or in opposition, the Awami League needs to be part of the political conversation in Bangladesh,” she said.

Reiterating India’s importance to Bangladesh, Hasina said, “India has always been Bangladesh's most important international relationship.” She accused the interim government under Yunus of damaging bilateral ties through “foolish and self-defeating” diplomatic mistakes.

“Yunus' hostility to India is foolish and self-defeating in the extreme and reveals him for the weak monarch he is, unelected, chaotic, and dependent upon the support of extremists,” she alleged. “I hope he doesn't make too many more diplomatic missteps before exiting the stage.”

Addressing Indians worried about the current atmosphere in Bangladesh, Hasina said, “The interim government doesn't represent what our countrymen and women think. India is and will remain our nation's most important friend.”

Hasina also said she was ready to stand trial under international supervision, “even at the International Criminal Court.” Still, she accused Yunus of avoiding such scrutiny because “an impartial tribunal would acquit me.”

She dismissed Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, which has initiated proceedings against her and is reportedly seeking the death penalty, as “a kangaroo tribunal” run by her political rivals.

“They are trying to neutralise both me and the Awami League as political forces. The fact that they would use the death penalty to suppress their opponents reveals how little respect they have for democracy or due process,” Hasina alleged.

According to her, Yunus initially enjoyed “at least the passive support of some western liberals” who believed he was one of them. “Now that they have seen him place radicals into his cabinet, discriminate against minorities, and dismantle the constitution, hopefully they are withdrawing their support,” she said.