Journalist
It is now more than 15 months former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina has taken shelter in India. India is not new for her staying. After assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman, her father, Sheikh Hasina was given shelter by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. From 1975 to 1981, after six years in exile she returned to Bangladesh in 1981, and became President of Awami League. She led the party in opposition to military rule and played a key role in the 1990 uprising that restored parliamentary democracy.
It cannot be overlooked that when she took shelter in India in 1975 she was only 28 years old. And went back to Dhaka when she became 34 years old. Now she is 78 years old. Although her personal physicians cliam that she is healthy and fine and ready to take up challenges again against present Interim Government led by 85 years old Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. But how she can take up challenges unless she goes back to her homeland?
On 17 th November 2025 Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by International Crime Tribunal set up by the Interim Government. Before that Yunus Government banned the political activities of her party Awami League. Now the general election of Jatiyo Sangsad (Parliament) has been announced by the Election Commission, which is scheduled to be held on 12 th February 2026. Awami League cannot participate in the election as the party registration was freezed by the Election Commission. Recently External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jayshankar has said in an interaction, “She came here in the certain circumstances and I think that circumstances clearly sort of is a factor what happens to her. That is something she has to make up her mind. Clear indication is that neither India nor Bangladesh can decide her fate.
In the standing committee of External affairs, whose report has been tabled in just concluded winter session of the parliament, Foreign Secretary articulated in clear terms about the fate of Hasina. When asked about giving her political asylum, Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri told lawmakers “I told Dhaka it is not just a question of modern history, but if you look India civilizationally, what we have done when we were faced with this situation is something we have done throughout our history. Anybody has sought our assistance at a moment of existential crisis, we have opened our doors for them and this situation is not different.” He has made it clear also her presence will not have any impact in dealing with present Bangladesh situation. Therefore, story of Sheikh Hasina is not going away soon. It is a long story to be unfolded in coming days.
