Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared on 20 October 2026 that she would return to Bangladesh despite facing the real prospect of arrest, torture or death upon her return, saying she could not stay away while her supporters and ordinary citizens continued to suffer. Addressing a Washington-based press conference virtually, Hasina made her most emphatic public statement yet about her intentions since fleeing the country following the collapse of her government in August 2024.

The Defiant Declaration

'How risky it is, I don't care. I have to go back,' Hasina said, according to the conference transcript. She acknowledged that returning could expose her to imprisonment or violence but argued that political responsibility required her to stand with her supporters. She stopped short, however, of announcing a confirmed date for her return.

Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, subsequently told journalists that no date had been fixed and that an announcement would be made closer to the time. The lack of a timeline leaves significant uncertainty around the practical prospects of her return.

Refuge in India and Historical Parallels

Hasina, who has been living in India since her removal from power, expressed gratitude to the Indian government and people for offering her refuge. 'Thanks to Indian government, and the people, all party, they received me just like 1975,' she said, invoking the period when she and her sister survived the assassination of several members of their family, including her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Hasina drew direct parallels with earlier chapters of her political life — her return to Bangladesh in 1981 after years abroad following the 1975 assassinations, and again in 2007 during a period of political emergency when she faced criminal allegations. She framed the current situation as consistent with a career-long pattern of returning in the face of threat.

Charges Against Her and the Awami League

Hasina accused Bangladesh's current political leadership of deploying criminal proceedings against her and members of the Awami League as a tool to suppress political opposition rather than pursue genuine accountability. She disputed the legitimacy of the cases and maintained that allegations against political leaders should be resolved through fair and impartial judicial proceedings.

Notably, she also acknowledged that her own administration faced difficult questions over its record and the events surrounding the 2024 protests. 'I acknowledge the difficult questions surrounding my government, the events of 2024 and their aftermath,' she said — a rare admission that adds complexity to her legal and political position.

Message to Washington: Choose Democracy, Not Individuals

In a broader appeal to the United States government, Hasina urged Washington to support democratic institutions, political pluralism, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh rather than favour any particular leader or political party. 'My message to Washington, I do not ask the U.S. to choose Sheikh Hasina or Romani. I ask the U.S. to choose democracy,' she said.

She called for independent courts, freedom of expression, political association, protection of minorities, and respect for due process. She also warned that excluding political parties from democratic participation would deepen divisions and undermine national reconciliation. 'The future of Bangladesh must be built on reconciliation, not revenge,' she said.

Regional Relations and the Road Ahead

On foreign policy, Hasina argued that Bangladesh should maintain constructive ties with all its neighbours and major international partners — including India, the United States, China, and Japan — and should not become a battleground for competition among major powers. She also expressed support for stronger economic ties with Washington, covering investment, education, technology, and security cooperation.

With no return date set and criminal cases reportedly pending, the coming weeks will test whether Hasina's declaration of intent translates into concrete political action — or remains a statement of resolve from the distance of exile.