Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Exchanges Views with Expatriate Awami League Leaders in New Delhi

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared her firm resolve to return to Bangladesh by December, overcoming all obstacles.

The meeting took place on September 30, with the delegation of expatriates led by Dr. Sirajul Haq, President of the Australia Awami League and a prominent international lawyer.

Among others present were Gama Abdul Kader, Member of the Advisory Council of the Australia Awami League; Molla Haq, General Secretary of the Melbourne Awami League; and Bilkis Jahan, President of the Australia Mahila Awami League, along with Shahid Rahman, President of the Canada Awami League.

Dr. Sirajul Haq noted that following the historic political change of August 2024, Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India's capital, New Delhi. Operating from there, she has maintained organizational communication with expatriate Awami League leaders and supporters scattered across the globe. As part of this ongoing engagement, a special interactive meeting was held on September 30, which has sparked a renewed sense of hope among expatriates.

Throughout this special gathering, Sheikh Hasina's younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, was constantly by her side. Just as the two sisters survived the brutal assassination on August 15, 1975, because they were abroad, and became each other’s strength during a long subsequent exile, a similar dynamic is visible in the current challenging situation. From the safe haven of New Delhi, Sheikh Rehana has remained a primary emotional pillar and assistant to her elder sister in providing guidance to party members and expatriate supporters.

The September 30 meeting was led on behalf of the expatriates by Dr. Sirajul Haq, President of the Australia Awami League and a prominent international lawyer.

During the meeting, Dr. Haq expressed deep solidarity with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana. He also outlined specific legal strategies on how to counter the lawsuits and legal complications facing the current leadership and activists of the Awami League in the international arena.

He expressed confidence that expatriate Bengalis worldwide will remain united during this critical juncture of the nation and continue to fight both legally and politically.

In the meeting, Sheikh Hasina criticized the country's current interim government and claimed that the cases filed against her are politically motivated. She also demanded the withdrawal of political bans imposed on the party and expressed a strong desire and resolve to return home by December, overcoming all barriers.

At this time, Sheikh Hasina called upon everyone to unite in resolving the country’s current political crisis.

She stated, "The homes and properties of two million Awami League supporters, leaders, and activists have been looted, vandalized, and set on fire. Ten thousand leaders and activists have been killed over the past two years. Prisoners held in jails are being murdered, and conspiracies are afoot to kill more. The history and heritage of the Liberation War are being destroyed through state terrorism. Two thousand police officers have been killed; they will be brought to justice. The people of the country are passing through a very difficult time. Therefore, I want to undertake the most hazardous task of my life. To save the country and its people, I must return today."

The spontaneous participation of expatriates in this special meeting in New Delhi and Sheikh Hasina's strong statements have sparked fresh discussions in the political arena of Bangladesh. How much of a role this united struggle by expatriates and the formation of international public opinion will play in the Awami League's political comeback remains to be seen.