Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina is set to make her first public media appearance from India, nearly two years after being forced out of office. She will participate in a virtual event scheduled for August 5 in New Delhi, where she is expected to outline her future roadmap and address queries surrounding her potential return to Bangladesh.
Event Timings and Venue Details
The interactive session is being hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia. As per the schedule, the event will take place on August 5 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM IST at the Sir Mark Tully Auditorium on Mathura Road in New Delhi. To accommodate a global audience, the proceedings will also be streamed live across the official social media channels of the club.
Marking the Second Anniversary of Regime Fall
This public engagement coincides with the second anniversary of the dramatic political collapse that ended Sheikh Hasina's nearly 16-year governance. On August 5, 2024, student-led demonstrations against job reservation quotas escalated into a widespread nationwide uprising. As protesters surged toward government installations amidst escalating violence, Hasina departed Bangladesh to seek refuge in India. Since her arrival, she has maintained a complete hiatus from public gatherings and press briefings, making this upcoming address her maiden public statement since stepping down.
Key Bangladeshi Figures to Join the Panel
The virtual forum will feature a prominent panel of Bangladeshi political figures, former cabinet ministers, security analysts, and human rights advocates. Joining Hasina are her son and former ICT advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel, and Mahammad Ali Siddiqui, Secretary General of Bangladesh Human Rights Watch. Other notable participants include former cricketer and ex-lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan, former diplomat and security specialist Aminul Haque Polash, political analyst Abu Obaida Arin, and Shah Md Bakhtiar, Director of Bangladesh Human Rights Watch USA. The session will be moderated by Dr. Waiel Awwad, President of the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia and the International Association of Press Clubs.
Shift in Bangladesh's Political Landscape
The political structure in Dhaka has undergone a significant transformation following Hasina's departure. The interim administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus concluded its tenure after general elections were conducted in February 2026. A new government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) subsequently assumed office, with Tarique Rahman sworn in as Prime Minister. The current administration has maintained active legal prosecutions against several leaders of the Awami League, while political activities of the party remain suspended under the nation's anti-terrorism legislation pending judicial outcomes.
