This photograph was taken at Mirpur-10, one of the epicentres of the uprising, on August 3, 2024, merely 48 hours before the regime’s collapse. The stark contrast between the turmoil of those final days and the present legal impasse highlights the significant transformation of Bangladesh’s political landscape.

📷 Sharif Khiam Ahmed/One-man Newsroom

Sharif Khiam Ahmed, Dhaka

In May 2026, Sheikh Hasina’s statement about “returning to Bangladesh soon” resurfaced in public discourse, primarily through an exclusive interview with the Indian Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika. In that interview, Sheikh Hasina was quoted as saying, “I will return to the soil of Bangladesh soon, with my head held high…” and also remarked that the “return of the Awami League is inevitable.”

Journalist Agni Roy conducted the interview. Subsequently, excerpts from the interview were widely circulated and republished by various Indian and Bangladeshi online platforms, YouTube channels, and social media pages. In its aftermath, even online propaganda from exiled Awami League activists began circulating claims such as plans to “seize Dhaka airport within two hours’ notice.”

At the same time, her ongoing legal cases in Bangladesh, proceedings at the International Crimes Tribunal, asset freezes, and extradition requests to India have added legal and diplomatic dimensions to the issue. As a result, her “return” is no longer just a political statement but a broader legal and geopolitical concern.

Earlier, in August 2024, Sajeeb Wazed Joy said, “She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election.” In April 2025, several Indian television channels and reports, quoting Sheikh Hasina, suggested that she “will return” and that “God has kept her alive for a reason,” while she also criticized the prevailing political situation in Bangladesh.

But, the recurring vow of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh ‘with her head held high’ has transitioned from a defiant political narrative into a high-stakes legal and diplomatic crisis by 2026.

The legal landscape shifted dramatically in November 2025, when the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka handed down a death sentence against her for crimes against humanity. This verdict has effectively recalibrated the nature of her exile in India.

Bangladesh’s formal request for her extradition from India, coupled with the pursuit of an Interpol Red Notice, has positioned New Delhi in a precarious diplomatic situation.

The Indian government faces the challenge of navigating the complexities of its policy while simultaneously fulfilling its international legal commitments. While exiled activists circulate claims of “reclaiming Dhaka on short notice,” the interim and subsequent administrative shifts in Bangladesh have focused on freezing her assets and pursuing accountability, making a political comeback structurally difficult.

In a landmark legislative move, the newly elected 13th Parliament passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act 2026 in April 2026. This legislation effectively made permanent the ban on the Awami League, canceling its registration and criminalizing all forms of political activity, including online publications and public assemblies.

Government officials framed the act as an essential measure to ensure accountability for the 2024 massacres, thereby creating a definitive legal barrier against any potential political comeback for Sheikh Hasina or her party.