'I'd rather die in Bangladesh': Hasina's defiant message on returning to Dhaka

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the threat of arrest, imprisonment or even death would not stop her from returning to Dhaka, asserting that she would rather die in her homeland than stay away from her people. In a rare audio interview with news agency IANS, Hasina said she was fully aware of the risks involved in returning to Bangladesh but maintained that fear had never stopped her from doing what she believed was right. “Look, I understand the risks very well. I may be arrested the moment I arrive. They may send me to prison. They may even try to kill me. I have considered all these possibilities. But, you know, I stopped worrying about my personal safety a long time ago. I returned to Bangladesh in 1981, despite military rule. I returned again in 2007, knowing that the military-backed government might arrest me. I have faced imprisonment and repeated attempts on my life. Fear has never stopped me from doing what I believe is right,” the exiled leader stated. Expressing concern over the situation in Bangladesh, Hasina said the country was going through a difficult phase, alleging that Awami League leaders and workers were being persecuted while ordinary people were suffering and losing their homes and livelihoods. She said the hardships faced by the people had strengthened her determination to return and stand by them, irrespective of the consequences. “Today, my country is going through a terrible time. Our leaders and workers are being persecuted. Ordinary people are suffering, and families are losing their homes and livelihoods. How can I stay away while my people face such hardship? I have spent my entire political life with the people of Bangladesh. Whatever happens to me, I want to stand beside them. If I have to die, I would rather die on the soil of my own country, among my own people,” Hasina told IANS.

Addressing allegations over deaths during the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh, the former prime minister categorically denied ordering the killing of innocent people. Hasina accused the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of stopping a judicial inquiry she had initiated into the deaths and subsequently granting legal protection to participants in the uprising for acts classified as “political resistance”. “Let me make one thing very clear. I never ordered the killing of innocent people. I reject that accusation completely. Every death was tragic. As Prime Minister, I had a responsibility to protect the lives of our citizens, and I wanted to know exactly what had happened. That is why, on July 18, 2024, I established a Judicial Enquiry Commission headed by a High Court judge. On August 1, I expanded it to a three-member commission so that every incident could be examined properly. But what happened after Muhammad Yunus assumed power? He stopped that investigation,” the former PM said. She questioned the interim administration's decision to halt the inquiry while pursuing murder cases against her and thousands of Awami League leaders, activists and workers.

“His administration subsequently granted legal protection to participants in the uprising for acts classified as political resistance. At the same time, murder cases were brought against me and thousands of Awami League leaders, activists and workers. If they really wanted the truth, why did they stop the judicial investigation that I had already established? Why should there be different standards of justice depending on someone's political identity?” she questioned.

Hasina also rejected the proceedings of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) and the verdict against her, alleging that she was not given a genuine opportunity to defend herself. “As for the tribunal, I reject both the proceedings and the verdict. I was denied what I consider a genuine opportunity to defend myself. I will examine whatever lawful options are available to challenge that verdict,” she told IANS.