Post by : Rameen Ariff

Ousted former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has stated her potential return to the country hinges on three essential conditions: the reinstatement of participatory democracy, the removal of the ban on the Awami League, and the execution of free, fair, and inclusive elections. Hasina conveyed her thoughts in an exclusive email interview from India, where she has taken refuge since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024 during widespread protests against her administration.

As Bangladesh's longest-serving prime minister, Hasina expressed her gratitude for the support from India, saying she felt “immensely grateful to India’s government and its people for their kind hospitality.” She stated that India remains Bangladesh's most crucial international ally while insisting that the current interim government does not reflect the sentiments of the Bangladeshi populace.

Reflecting on her departure, Hasina admitted, “Obviously, we lost control of the situation, and that was regrettable.” She attributed part of the blame to veteran political figures who incited unrest, firmly rejecting any suggestions that she had encouraged a boycott of the upcoming elections.

Hasina warned that any elections held without the Awami League would lack legitimacy, asserting, “Tens of millions of people support us… missing that opportunity would be detrimental for a nation that needs a government reflecting the genuine will of its people.”

On foreign relations, Hasina criticized the interim Yunus administration for damaging Bangladesh-India ties with its “foolish and self-defeating” actions. She accused Yunus of harboring hostility towards India, arguing that it is indicative of weak leadership reliant on extremist backing.

Addressing legal matters, Hasina dismissed Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal as a “kangaroo tribunal,” expressing her readiness to undergo international scrutiny, including at the International Criminal Court (ICC). She suggested that Yunus avoids fair trials out of fear that she would be exonerated.

Hasina's comments reveal her determination to return to Bangladesh under conditions that she believes will reinstate democratic governance and secure her party's future role in the nation.

#Global