An audio message from Sheikh Hasina was broadcast from the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Delhi last January, which had drawn objections from the then-Yunus government of Bangladesh. Now, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh will deliver another virtual address from the same Delhi club. However, it is not initially clear whether it will be a traditional press conference or a virtual message from Hasina.
Dhaka: Sheikh Hasina is set to speak in Delhi once again, this time also at the Foreign Correspondents' Club. The former Prime Minister will deliver a virtual speech there next Wednesday, August 5. Previously, in January, an audio message from Sheikh Hasina was broadcast at this Delhi club, to which Bangladesh objected. The then-caretaker government of Bangladesh questioned why Hasina was being given the 'opportunity' to speak. Six months later, Sheikh Hasina's message will be heard again at the very same Delhi club. However, the context this time is different. The Yunus rule in Bangladesh has ended, and an elected BNP government has come to power, although the activities of the Awami League remain banned. The death sentence handed down to Hasina by the Bangladesh Tribunal during the Yunus regime also remains upheld. Nevertheless, Hasina now wants to return to Bangladesh herself, and India's parliamentary committee on external affairs has stated that her extradition is being examined.
Under these circumstances, curiosity has brewed in both countries regarding what message Hasina will deliver on Wednesday. The Awami League leader has stated that she wants to return to Bangladesh by next December. Hasina is also aware that there is a death sentence against her in that country. In a recent interview, Hasina stated that she wants to return to Bangladesh, go to court, and surrender, expressing faith in the country's judicial system. However, upon entering Bangladesh, she could be arrested, sent to jail, or even face the execution of her death sentence. Accepting all these possibilities, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh wishes to return to her homeland.
A notice has been issued by 'The Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia' in Delhi, stating that she will deliver a virtual message to journalists next Wednesday before returning to the country. Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former Bangladesh captain and former Awami League MP Shakib Al Hasan, former minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, and others will be present there. However, it is not initially clear whether it will be a traditional press conference or a virtual message from Hasina.
Earlier last January, Hasina's audio message was played at an event of the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Delhi. In that hour-long speech, she targeted the then-chief advisor of the caretaker government, Muhammad Yunus. This was her first audio message at an event organized in India since she took temporary asylum there in August 2024. Dhaka had raised objections to this. The then-Yunus government pointed fingers at India for giving the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh the 'opportunity' to speak. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh stated that they were 'disappointed'. Six months after that incident, Hasina will deliver a virtual message at an event organized at the Delhi club again.
Source: Ananda Bazar Patrika
