Sheikh Hasina Vows Return to Bangladesh Despite Facing Potential Death Penalty

Despite facing the possibility of execution, Sheikh Hasina has declared her intention to return to Bangladesh, stating she would prefer to die in her homeland. Hasina, who previously served two terms as prime minister, was compelled to resign and flee the country over two years ago following widespread street protests. She has since been residing in India, which has denied Bangladesh's request for her extradition. Hasina indicated that she has applied for a new passport to facilitate her return, but the government in Dhaka has rejected the application. The former leader has announced her plan to return home in December, regardless of the circumstances. This potential return raises significant questions about the future political landscape in Bangladesh. The discussion features insights from Shahab Enam Khan, Professor at the Department of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University; Sanjay Kumar Bhardwaj, Professor at the Centre for South Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, specializing in India-Bangladesh relations; and Taqbir Huda, a human rights lawyer and Clarendon scholar at the University of Oxford.