Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina reiterated once again that despite the risk of arrest, torture or death, she will definitely return to Bangladesh in December. Hasina left Bangladesh after the fall of her government in August 2024 and lives in India. Bangladesh is constantly demanding their return from India.

Sheikh Hasina, who participated virtually (online) in an event organized by the ‘Center for US-Bangladesh Relations’ in Washington DC on Monday said that ‘I will return to Bangladesh in December’. She said she would return to Bangladesh in December even if the current Tariq Rahman government arrests, kills or tortures her.

‘I will go back to Bangladesh in December’

The former prime minister said that ‘I will go back to Bangladesh in December. I’m not afraid. I know they can kill, arrest and torture me… but it is my responsibility to go back. However, he did not give any specific date of return.

‘I don’t care how much risk there is’

Hasina said she would have to go to jail or face violence if she returned to Bangladesh, but believed she should stand with her supporters as a matter of political responsibility. He said that it was his responsibility to return to Bangladesh and the risks involved would not deter him. He said, ‘I don’t care how much risk there is. I have to go back’. Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajib Wazed Joy told reporters that no date has been set yet and will be announced when the time comes.

Said that thanks to the Government of India

Awami League leader remains in India after Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power. He thanked the Government of India and its people for sheltering him during that period of political upheaval. He said, ‘Many thanks to the Government of India and its people; They adopted me the way they adopted me in 1975,’ he recalls a period when many members of his family were killed and he and his sister somehow survived.

Many incidents are mentioned

The former PM also mentioned some incidents in his political career when he returned to Bangladesh despite the threat to his life. This included his return in 1981 after spending several years abroad following the assassination of his father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other family members in 1975. His decision to return also includes a political crisis in 2007 when he was facing criminal charges.

Allegations on Rahman Sarkar

Sheikh Hasina also accused Prime Minister Tariq Rehman’s leadership of trying to suppress political opposition by opening criminal cases against her and members of the Awami League. Questioning the validity of these cases, he said that allegations against political leaders should be resolved through an impartial judicial process.

‘Choose your government through free processes’

Hasina said the political future of Bangladesh should be decided by its citizens through free and inclusive democratic processes. He said, ‘My appeal is that the citizens of Bangladesh should elect their government through a free and inclusive political process’.

The former prime minister advocated independent courts, freedom of expression, freedom to form political associations, protection of minorities and due process of law. He argued that excluding political parties from democratic participation would deepen divisions in society and undermine the process of national reconciliation. He said, ‘Those who oppose my government are also citizens and their rights should be respected. The future of Bangladesh should not be based on revenge but on mutual reconciliation.

‘Tough questions faced’

Hasina also acknowledged that her government faces tough questions about its performance and events related to the 2024 protests. She said, ‘I accept difficult questions relating to my government, the events of 2024 and beyond’. He said that allegations against anyone, including himself, should be resolved through a transparent and fair legal process.

Thanks to President Donald Trump

During the program, Sheikh Hasina thanked US President Donald Trump and said that his decision to stop USAID funding will prevent money from going into the wrong hands. Along with this, he described the government of Bangladesh led by Tariq Rehman as corrupt and made serious allegations of mass unemployment, mistreatment of women and rape. He described the current government as totally corrupt and demanded fair and free elections in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death

In November 2025, the International Criminal Tribunal for Bangladesh sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia in connection with a crackdown on the 2024 protests. Hasina has completely rejected the allegations and called them politically motivated. Dhaka has sought his extradition from India, to which New Delhi has said it is investigating the request under its internal legal and judicial procedures.

Hasina also talked about her return in an audio message to the international media in Delhi on the second anniversary of her removal from power. Then he said, ‘What is written in my destiny, I will go back to my people. When my countrymen suffer, I cannot stay away from them. He admitted that he could be detained or sent to prison, but he also said that fear cannot dictate his duty to the people. He said the date of his return would be announced in due course.