New Delhi, August 6: In a significant turn of events, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in exile in India for the past two years, expressed her desire to return to Bangladesh during a virtual press conference held at the Foreign Correspondents Club in New Delhi. Just hours after her announcement, an attack occurred at the ancestral home of former Bangladesh cricket captain and Awami League ex-MP Shakib Al Hasan in Magura.
The incident took place on Wednesday night, around 8:45 PM local time, targeting Shakib Al Hasan’s residence in the Keshabmore area. According to local sources, a petrol bomb was thrown at the upper part of the iron gate on the southern side of the house. The assailants also vandalized the property.
Following the attack, a team from the Magura Sadar police station arrived to assess the situation. However, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune, the police have not yet confirmed the identities of the attackers.
Officer in Charge (OC) Abdul Al Mamun stated, “We are investigating the matter. It cannot be definitively said at this moment whether it was a petrol bomb or not. The true circumstances will emerge after the investigation is complete.”
The Awami League issued a statement on the social media platform X, asserting that the price of participating in the party’s press conference is being paid with burning homes. They claimed that neo-fascism has engulfed Bangladesh and labeled the attack on Shakib Al Hasan’s home as a coordinated effort. The statement also noted that prior to the press conference, the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP threatened legal action against media outlets covering the event.
In her virtual address, the 78-year-old Sheikh Hasina declared her firm resolve to return to Bangladesh by December. She stated, “I know they can imprison me or even kill me, but I will return to my people. I am prepared to face arrest or death for the restoration of democracy. My return is not for power, but to bring Bangladesh back to the path of development, secularism, and prosperity.”
Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India since August 5, 2024, after her government fell amid anti-government protests in Bangladesh, forcing her to flee Dhaka. In November of the previous year, a special court in Dhaka sentenced her to death for crimes against humanity related to actions during the 2024 student movement. Since then, Bangladesh has repeatedly sought her extradition from India.
Sheikh Hasina emphasized, “Fear has now reached homes, workplaces, and educational institutions. This is not the Bangladesh we built. I appeal to the international community to support the people of Bangladesh in their fight for democracy and justice. Organized groups have deliberately turned popular movements into violent political campaigns.”
The press conference included participation from Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nofel, and several other Awami League leaders.
The decision for Sheikh Hasina to address the press from India has already become a diplomatic issue, with Bangladesh seeking clarification from New Delhi regarding the press conference.
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