Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a virtual press conference from New Delhi on Wednesday to address her forced exile [1].
The briefing marks the first time the former leader has spoken publicly since her 15-year rule ended in 2024 [1, 4]. Her comments signal a potential shift in the political landscape of Bangladesh as she challenges the narrative of the student-led movement that removed her from power.
Speaking via video link, Hasina described the 2024 student protests as organized efforts intended to facilitate regime change [2, 3]. She said the protests were not peaceful [3]. According to Hasina, the violence associated with the movement began on July 15 [3].
Hasina expressed a desire to return to Bangladesh, though she acknowledged the significant risks involved in doing so. "They may even kill me," she said [1].
The former prime minister has spent two years in exile after leaving Bangladesh [2]. During the briefing, her son, Sajeeb Wazed, commented on her time in India. Wazed said the Modi government has treated her well [1].
Hasina used the platform to frame the events of 2024 as a coordinated attempt to destabilize her administration rather than a spontaneous public uprising. She said the movement was used as a tool for those seeking to seize power [3].
“The protests were not peaceful”
Sheikh Hasina's decision to break her two-year silence suggests a strategic attempt to reclaim political legitimacy and challenge the current Bangladeshi administration's narrative. By framing the 2024 protests as an organized coup rather than a popular revolution, she is laying the groundwork for a potential political return, while her reliance on Indian hospitality underscores the critical role of New Delhi in her future prospects.
