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EYE ON INDIA AUGUST 14, 2026 | The Indian Eye 6

Sheikh Hasina’s Return: A Political

Gamble That Could Reshape Bangladesh

The former prime minister’s decision to return to Bangladesh in December is more than a personal act of

defiance—it could become the defining moment in the country’s turbulent post-2024 political transition.

OUR BUREAU
Dhaka / New Delhi

hen Sheikh Hasina an-
nounced from New Delhi
Wthat she would return to
Bangladesh in December, despite the
certainty of arrest and the possibility
of imprisonment or even death, she
transformed herself from an exiled
political leader into the central pro-
tagonist of Bangladesh’s unfolding
political drama.
“I may be jailed. They may kill
me. But fear cannot decide my duty,”
she declared in her first public media
interaction since leaving Bangladesh
following the collapse of her govern-
ment in 2024. Whether her supporters
view those words as courage or her Bangladesh Awami League leaders during a press conference, in New Delhi on Wednesday (FCCSouthAsia/ ANI Video Grab)
critics see them as political theatre,
one fact is undeniable: Hasina has daughter of Bangladesh’s founding distance itself carefully from the con- mance under the current government.
placed herself back at the center of leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and troversy. While they argue that growth has
Bangladesh’s politics after nearly two on the economic transformation that The Ministry of External Affairs slowed, investment has weakened and
years of political exile. Bangladesh experienced during much made it clear that the event was orga- employment conditions have deteri-
The announcement comes at a of her tenure. Her supporters argue nized by a private media organization and orated, the BNP-led administration
delicate moment for both Bangladesh that she delivered sustained econom- that the Government of India neither rejects these criticisms and maintains
and the region. The country has com- ic growth, infrastructure development endorsed nor participated in it. The that it inherited deep structural prob-
pleted a dramatic political transition. and improvements in social indicators clarification reflects New Delhi’s in- lems after years of Awami League rule.
The interim administration led by No- before her dramatic fall from power. creasingly delicate diplomatic position. As with much of Bangladesh’s con-
bel laureate Muhammad Yunus has Her critics, however, present an India’s strategic interests require temporary politics, competing narra-
given way to an elected government equally compelling counter-narrative. maintaining productive relations with tives continue to shape public debate.
headed by Bangladesh Nationalist They accuse her administration of whichever government governs Ban- Perhaps the most striking aspect
Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman centralizing power, suppressing polit- gladesh. Since Tarique Rahman’s of Hasina’s announcement is the lan-
following the February 2026 elections. ical opposition, curbing media free- administration now represents the guage she chose. Rather than speaking
Yet political reconciliation remains doms and undermining democratic elected government in Dhaka, New primarily about legal battles or politi-
elusive. The Awami League, the par- institutions. The student-led move- Delhi has moved to normalize rela- cal strategy, she framed her return as
ty that dominated Bangladesh’s poli- ment that culminated in her removal tions, even inviting the Bangladeshi a moral obligation rooted in personal
tics for over 15 years, remains banned remains, for many Bangladeshis, a Prime Minister to attend the upcom- sacrifice. By recalling her imprison-
from electoral politics, many of its symbol of democratic renewal rather ing BRICS outreach session in his ca- ment during the 1971 Liberation War,
senior leaders face legal proceedings, than political instability. pacity as BIMSTEC chair. the assassination of her family in 1975
and Hasina herself has been sentenced That divide explains why her an- Domestically, Hasina’s announce- and her years in exile, she sought to
to death in absentia by Bangladesh’s nouncement has generated such po- ment also raises practical questions. place her current predicament within
International Crimes Tribunal over larized reactions. Will she actually be allowed to the broader arc of Bangladesh’s na-
charges linked to the violence of 2024. The BNP reacted swiftly, con- return? If she does, will she be arrest- tional history.
Against this backdrop, her prom- demning not only Hasina’s speech ed immediately? Could her arrival Whether that narrative resonates
ise to return is far more than a person- but also India’s decision to permit the trigger fresh political mobilization or with today’s voters remains uncertain.
al decision. It is a direct political chal- virtual interaction from New Delhi. protests? Would international actors Bangladesh has changed signifi-
lenge to the post-Hasina order. Senior BNP adviser Syed Moazzem intervene diplomatically if legal pro- cantly since 2024. A new political
For the Awami League, which has Hossain Alal argued that allowing ceedings become politically contentious? generation has emerged, shaped by
struggled to remain politically visible the address would damage Bangla- None of these questions currently the protests that ended Hasina’s long
since its exclusion from the 2026 elec- desh-India relations and reiterated has clear answers. rule. Yet the former prime minister
tions, Hasina’s return could provide an demands for Hasina’s extradition to Equally uncertain are the claims remains one of the country’s most
emotional rallying point. Her appeal face justice in Bangladesh. made by Hasina’s supporters regard- recognizable and consequential polit-
continues to rest on her legacy as the India, meanwhile, has sought to ing Bangladesh’s economic perfor- ical figures.

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