Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held her first public question-and-answer session since being ousted on Wednesday [1, 2].
The address marks the first time Hasina has faced the public since her removal from power, signaling a potential shift in her strategy to reclaim political influence in Bangladesh.
Broadcasting virtually from New Delhi, Hasina addressed the circumstances surrounding her exit from office. She led Bangladesh for 15 years [2] before being forced into exile during the unrest of July-August 2024 [3]. During the session, she said the events that led to her ouster were an organized campaign for regime change rather than a peaceful student movement [3].
Hasina said that students were emotionally manipulated during the July 2024 protests [3]. She said, "Fear cannot decide duty" [2], as she outlined her intention to return to Bangladesh.
The virtual event was organized by a private entity. Following the announcement of the address, the Indian foreign ministry distanced itself from the proceedings. A spokesperson for the ministry said, "India says it is not involved with Bangladesh ex-PM Hasina's virtual address" [1].
Hasina has now been out of office for approximately two years [2]. While she expressed a desire to return to her home country, the legal and political landscape remains volatile. Some reports suggest she would face immediate arrest upon arrival in Bangladesh [2], though the Indian government has not commented on the potential legal repercussions of her return [1].
“Fear cannot decide duty.”
Sheikh Hasina's return to the public eye suggests a transition from passive exile to active political challenge. By framing the 2024 protests as a manipulated campaign for regime change, she is attempting to delegitimize the current political order and rebuild her base of support. However, the discrepancy between her vows to return and the likelihood of immediate arrest indicates a significant gap between her political ambitions and the current legal reality in Bangladesh.
