Dhaka: The government of Bangladesh issued a strict directive to domestic media outlets on Tuesday, prohibiting the publication or broadcasting of statements by exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is scheduled to deliver a virtual address from India. The planned address, hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi, marks the second anniversary of the massive student-led uprising that forced her from power in August 2024. Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman warned editors and news organisations that disseminating her speech would constitute a direct violation of a binding December 2024 order issued by the country’s International Crimes Tribunal. That ruling explicitly bans mainstream news channels, print publications, and digital platforms from broadcasting interviews, audio messages, or public statements by the deposed leader.
The upcoming event represents Hasina’s first major public media engagement since fleeing Dhaka aboard a military aircraft. Following her ouster, the 78-year-old former premier was tried in absentia and sentenced to death for crimes against humanity linked to the violent suppression of anti-government demonstrations, a verdict she has consistently rejected as politically motivated and legally invalid. Despite her conviction, close aides revealed that Hasina, alongside her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and other senior party figures, intends to outline her political roadmap and address global media. Furthermore, Hasina recently reiterated her intention to return to Bangladesh around December to face ongoing judicial proceedings, a move that threatens to create significant political turbulence for the newly elected administration in Dhaka.
The situation has introduced fresh friction into diplomatic relations between Dhaka and New Delhi. Officials in Bangladesh formally urged India to clarify its official stance on the event, warning that allowing a convicted fugitive to engage in political activities from Indian territory could jeopardize recent efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation. In response, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified during a press briefing that the conference is being organized independently by a private media association. He emphasized that the Indian government has no involvement in facilitating the programme, nor does it endorse any views or political positions expressed during the forum.
In Dhaka, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam reaffirmed that Bangladesh has repeatedly conveyed strong diplomatic concerns to New Delhi regarding political activity conducted by exiled Awami League leaders on foreign soil. Despite diplomatic tensions, representatives from Hasina’s team confirmed that the virtual address will proceed as planned, maintaining that efforts by authorities to restrict media coverage within Bangladesh cannot silence political dissent abroad. As Bangladesh navigates its post-election transition under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government remains firm on seeking Hasina’s extradition while enforcing domestic bans on her public communications.
