Bangladesh Cautions Media Against Covering Exiled Leader’s Speech
DHAKA/NEW DELHI: Bangladesh has issued a warning to its media regarding the coverage of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming virtual address from India. This speech, scheduled for Wednesday, aims to commemorate the second anniversary of the protests that led to her removal from power.
Since the student-led uprising in 2024, Hasina has remained in India. In 2025, she was sentenced to death for her actions during those protests, a ruling she has rejected as legally invalid. The 78-year-old leader is expected to make her first public appearance via video link at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi, joined by her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and other speakers.
Details of her speech have not been disclosed, but Hasina mentioned to Reuters last month that she and her party members plan to return to Bangladesh around December and present themselves to the court, which will be a significant test for the current government regarding its handling of a major political figure.
INDIA DISTANCES ITSELF FROM PRIVATE EVENT
Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman reminded Bangladeshi media on Tuesday that covering Hasina’s speech would conflict with a December 2024 directive from Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. This order bars media and social platforms from reporting on Hasina’s speeches and statements.
Abu Obaidha Arin, an aide to Hasina, stated that the event would still take place, asserting that Dhaka’s attempts to silence dissent would not be successful beyond its borders.
Bangladesh has reached out to New Delhi, expressing concerns that allowing Hasina to engage in political activities could negatively impact the improving relationship between the two nations. In response, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that the event is organized by a private media entity and that the Indian government has no involvement with it or its content.
Tensions regarding the topic of Hasina have increased, especially as Bangladesh continues to seek her extradition from India. Shama Obaed Islam, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, emphasized that Bangladesh has consistently communicated its worries to India regarding Hasina and other Awami League leaders making political statements from Indian territory.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since Hasina’s ousting, but both seem open to improving their ties under the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, which took office following February’s elections.
