In an exclusive interview with NDTV, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared her unwavering intention to return to her homeland this year. Despite living in exile for nearly two years, facing a death penalty, and seeing her party—the Awami League—officially banned in Bangladesh, Hasina remained completely undeterred.
Drawing a parallel to the legendary American General Douglas MacArthur, she asserted that the Awami League is not merely an organization but an indestructible “force” rooted in the history of the nation.
Key Highlights from the Interview
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A Guaranteed Return: Hasina dismissed the death penalty and legal verdicts against her as unconstitutional, politically motivated revenge. “Overcoming every obstacle and every conspiracy, I will return to my country this year,” she stated.
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Defense of Minorities: Addressing the rising tide of communal violence, she issued a stark warning: “Any attack on the minorities is an attack on the independence of Bangladesh.” She condemned the current BNP government for denying these attacks and leaving Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and Sufis vulnerable.
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The 77th Anniversary Defiance: Despite a absolute nationwide ban, the Awami League marked its 77th Founding Day last week. The interim and current governments deployed heavy security, arresting dozens of activists to stop the events—a move Hasina labeled a sign of the current regime’s “weakness.”
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Rejection of Secret Deals: Hasina flatly denied rumors of backchannel negotiations with the BNP leadership regarding lifting her party’s ban. She emphasized that the Awami League does not seek political mercy or participate in secret bargains.
Economic Contrast: The Awami League vs. Current Regime
Hasina strongly criticized the transition of Bangladesh after her departure, claiming the current leadership is steering the country toward a failed-state model similar to Pakistan. She highlighted the economic heights Bangladesh reached during her tenure compared to its current fragile state:
| Economic Indicators (Under Hasina’s Government) | Achievement Level |
| GDP Growth (2023) | 7.25% |
| Global Economy Rank | 35th largest (Advanced by 29 places) |
| Poverty Reduction | Dropped to 18.7% (Extreme poverty down to 5.6%) |
| Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) | Rose 5-fold to USD 3.48 billion |
| Power Generation Capacity | Increased 8-fold (100% population coverage) |
Life in Exile and the Struggle Ahead
Reflecting on her restricted life in exile, Hasina admitted that being separated from her homeland is profoundly painful. However, she emphasized that personal constraints matter little compared to the plight of her citizens.
“My strength is the people of Bangladesh, the leaders and workers of the Awami League, and the ideals of the Father of the Nation. With that strength, I continue to work every day to restore democracy… and I will remain with it until my last day.”
