She Will Kill Me, Put Me in Jail: Sheikh Hasina Announces December Homecoming

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced her intention to return to her homeland in December, declaring her readiness to face any consequences, including arrest, imprisonment, or threats to her life. Speaking from New Delhi, Hasina stated that she could not remain abroad while her supporters and countrymen endured hardship. "Whatever fate awaits me, I will return to my people. I cannot stay away while my beloved countrymen are suffering... I want to go back in December," she asserted.

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Whatever fate awaits me, I will return to my people. I cannot stay away while my beloved countrymen are suffering... I want to go back in December.

Hasina acknowledged the significant risks associated with her planned return but emphasized that safety concerns would not deter her from her commitment to the nation. "They may kill me, put me in jail... I know I may get detained, I may be sent to prison, they may try to force politically motivated fabricated cases, but fear cannot decide my duty to the people. My life went beyond calculations of personal safety long ago," she said. She drew upon her extensive political career, marked by incarceration, exile, and personal tragedy, including losing her family in 1975 and spending six years in exile.

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They may kill me, put me in jail... I know I may get detained, I may be sent to prison, they may try to force politically motivated fabricated cases, but fear cannot decide my duty to the people. My life went beyond calculations of personal safety long ago.

Her decision to return is driven solely by a desire to support her citizens during the ongoing crisis. "I want to return to Bangladesh for one purpose: to stand beside the people and help improve their lives," Hasina stated. During the virtual press briefing, she also called for an immediate end to official restrictions on her political organization, the Awami League. She urged authorities to lift the ban on the party, secure the release of its detained leadership, and withdraw all pending legal cases against its members.

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I want to return to Bangladesh for one purpose: to stand beside the people and help improve their lives.

The Indian government sought to distance itself from Hasina's press event, with Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarifying that New Delhi does not endorse any statements made during the session. India had previously informed a parliamentary committee that while granting asylum to Hasina, it maintains a policy against political activities targeting other sovereign nations from Indian territory. However, Dhaka has raised concerns with the Indian High Commissioner, indicating that allowing Hasina to deliver a political speech could further strain bilateral relations amid persistent political uncertainty in Bangladesh.

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The government has no involvement whatsoever in it. Neither does it endorse any views that may be expressed at the forum.