'I don't fear death': Sheikh Hasina confident of returning to Bangladesh this year

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that she will return to Bangladesh this year despite the death sentence against her, asserting that her political struggle is aimed at restoring democracy and protecting the rights of the people rather than seeking power.

In an interview with NDTV, Hasina described the verdict against her as politically motivated and maintained that she was not afraid of death.

She said she had survived several conspiracies in the past and remained confident that she would once again return to her country.

"My return is not a question of personal ambition. It is tied to the restoration of democracy, the rule of law and the political rights of the people of Bangladesh," she said, adding that she would overcome "every obstacle and every conspiracy" to return home this year.

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'Awami League will rise again'

Hasina expressed confidence that the Awami League would regain political ground despite the ban on the party and the cases filed against its leaders and workers.

She said the party's future depended on public support rather than the actions of the government. According to her, the Awami League has repeatedly survived periods of repression during its 77-year history and continues to enjoy grassroots support across Bangladesh.

The former prime minister alleged that the current political system lacked democracy and the rule of law, claiming that her party had been kept out of the political process through unconstitutional measures. She urged party workers to remain united and continue working among the people.

Raises concern over minorities

A significant part of the interview focused on the condition of religious minorities in Bangladesh. Hasina alleged that attacks on Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, indigenous communities and other minority groups had increased after her removal from power.

She claimed that temples had been vandalised, homes attacked and members of minority communities subjected to violence and intimidation. Hasina also criticised the authorities for allegedly failing to take adequate action against those responsible.

Calling minorities equal citizens of Bangladesh, she said ensuring their safety and religious freedom was a constitutional responsibility of the state. She also argued that attacks on minorities and places of worship were against the spirit of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War.

Speaks about India and life in exile

Reflecting on her stay in India, Hasina said she remained in regular contact with her family but admitted that living away from Bangladesh had been emotionally difficult.

She said her "heart remains in Bangladesh" and that she closely follows political developments and the situation of Awami League leaders and supporters from India. According to Hasina, she continues to raise issues related to democracy and human rights in Bangladesh before the international community.

Hasina also reiterated her long-standing foreign policy position of maintaining "friendship to all, malice to none." She said Bangladesh should maintain normal diplomatic relations with all countries while preserving the ideals of its Liberation War and constitutional values.

The former prime minister maintained that her struggle was far from over and expressed confidence that democracy would eventually be restored in Bangladesh.

She said the Awami League would return through public support and reaffirmed her commitment to remain part of that movement until her last day.