Death sentence, yet announcement of return: What is going on in Sheikh Hasina’s mind, what is Bangladesh plan?

A big political storm has again arisen in the politics of Bangladesh due to an interview of former PM Sheikh Hasina. The leader who had to leave the country and come to India and was sentenced to death by the court, Sheikh Hasina is now announcing her return to her soil. His statement in the interview given to Reuters is not just an announcement of withdrawal, but also an emotional and political message.

Hasina said, “He is not afraid of hanging, arrest or death, because if the last time has to come then he should come to his own land, where his parents are buried.” This move of his can give a new direction to the politics of Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina’s big bet amidst death threat

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has made such a political move, which has created a new stir in the politics of the neighboring country. In an over an hour long interview given to news agency Reuters, Hasina said that she is planning to return to Bangladesh from India around December this year. The special thing is that this announcement has come at a time when a tribunal court of Bangladesh has sentenced him to death in absentia in the case of violence and deaths during the 2024 student movement.

Hasina said that she and several senior Awami League leaders would voluntarily return to Bangladesh and surrender before the court. According to him, this step will not be to challenge the justice system but to test it in front of the world.

‘I will arrest or kill you, I will still return’

Sheikh Hasina admitted in her interview that returning to Bangladesh could be very risky for her. He said that as soon as they reach there they may be arrested or even killed. Despite this he said that if death had to come then he should come to his motherland, where his parents are buried.

Accusing the Awami League leaders and workers of taking action, he said that thousands of supporters of the party are going through difficult situations. Hasina says that she does not want to continue the political struggle by staying away from her country and her people.

She wants to prove her point by surrendering in court.

Hasina said that she wants to return to Bangladesh to face the court proceedings. He claims that the cases registered against him are motivated by political vendetta. He said that when the legal process becomes public, the public will themselves understand whether the cases are right or wrong.

The former Prime Minister says that to maintain trust in the justice system, it is necessary that the accused get a chance to present his side. She wants to go to court and answer the allegations against her.

Did not take advice from India or any foreign government

Sheikh Hasina claimed that she did not take any advice from India or any other foreign government regarding the decision to return to Bangladesh. He said that the Dhaka administration is continuously demanding his extradition from India, but his return will not happen due to any pressure but on his own will.

Hasina is currently in India. He also thanked India for providing asylum, but also said that the current situation in Bangladesh has affected the relations between the two countries.

Demand to lift ban on Awami League

Sheikh Hasina also raised questions about the ban imposed on her party Awami League. He said that banning any political party is not right for the democratic system. He says that if the party has committed any mistake then the public should decide it through elections. He claimed that a large number of cases have been registered against big and small leaders and workers of the party and many people are forced to live in hiding.

Claim to continue political struggle

Hasina said that she may not be in a position to contest elections after the court’s decision, but this does not end the political role of Awami League. He said that the party is a part of the history of Bangladesh and its participation in the democratic process is necessary.

She claimed that despite living in India, she is working to organize the party. According to her, she has contacted workers of many parliamentary constituencies of Bangladesh online.

Also told the reason for leaving the country in 2024

Sheikh Hasina explained in detail for the first time why she had to take the decision to leave Bangladesh in August 2024. He said that when the crowd of protesters was moving towards his official residence Gana Bhavan, there was a direct threat to his life.

He claimed that he decided to leave to prevent more bloodshed from the country. Hasina said that her intention was never to avoid legal action.

Accepted the mistakes of our government also

For the first time after being in power for a long time, Sheikh Hasina admitted that any government can make mistakes. He said that no government is completely flawless and the final decision on the work of any government is taken by the public.

However, he also said that the achievements and shortcomings of the government should be decided through the democratic process and not on the basis of political vendetta.

Serious allegations regarding minorities and fundamentalism

Expressing concern over the current situation in Bangladesh, Hasina claimed that there has been an increased threat to the security of minority communities like Hindus, Buddhists and Christians in the country. He alleged that fundamentalism and violence are increasing. However, the current government of Bangladesh has been rejecting these allegations and claims to maintain law and order in the country.

What is Sheikh Hasina’s real plan?

Sheikh Hasina’s withdrawal announcement is not only a legal step but also a big political message. She wants to move out of the image of a leader who runs away and present herself as a leader who fights.

On the other hand, returning to Bangladesh is also a big risk for them because there are serious allegations and court verdict against them. In such a situation, his proposed return in December could become the biggest development in Bangladesh politics. Now the question is whether Sheikh Hasina will really return to Bangladesh or is it just a strategy to create political pressure? The answer will become clear in the coming months.