Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to make first public appearance since ouster on August 5

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will make her first public appearance since her ouster in New Delhi on August 5. 78-year-old Hasina has been living exile in the national capital after fleeing Bangladesh two years ago following a students' uprising that led to the fall of her government.

Hasina, who heads the Awami League, will appear virtually in an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club, South Asia. The event will be held at the Sir Mark Tully Auditorium at the AB-19 Mathura Road in Delhi from 6 pm to 7.30 pm.

His son Sajeeb Wazeed Joy will also present at the event. Apart from him, former minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, former diplomat Animul Hoque Polash, writer and analyst Abu Obaidha Arin, and advocate Shah Mohammed Bakhtiar will also be present.

Hasina's rule ended on August 5, 2024, following a student-led uprising, after which she fled to India via helicopter. However, Hasina has , despite a death penalty by a Bangladesh court against her.

According to Hasina, she is under no pressure to return to Bangladesh, and can reside in India "with due respect and dignity". Moreover, India has not discussed extradition with her, but she herself wants to return, Hasina told AFP on Sunday in an email.

"I may be killed. I may be arrested. I may be sent to prison," the ousted Bangladesh premier said. "I am fully aware of my fate. Still, I want to go back because my people are calling me."

The student-led uprising in Bangladesh claimed 1,400 lives due to a crackdown by authorities, as per a United Nations (UN) report. Bangladesh court has found Hasina guilty of this and has issued a death penalty against her.

Dhaka has also requested Delhi for Hasina's extradition, which has strained their relationship, and the current government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that the deposed prime minister will face the trail if she returns to the country.

"Despite being a death penalty convict, being a Bangladeshi citizen, if she intends to surrender showing respect to the law by returning home, perhaps she will be arrested before she could do so," Bangladesh Law Minister M Asaduzzaman said on Thursday. "Whenever she will enter into our territory, I will enforce the authority that the law has reposed upon me."