Sheikh Hasina to make first public appearance two years after Bangladesh ouster: Reports

According to multiple media reports, Hasina will attend a virtual event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi.

Updated on: Aug 2, 2026, 21:33:04 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to make her first public appearance in India, exactly two years after she fled the country following a massive student-led protest that ousted her from the helm.

While Sheikh Hasina has issued statements, given interviews and attended some events virtually, she hasn't appeared in public since the collapse of her nearly 16-year rule on August 5, 2024 (AFP File)

According to multiple media reports, Hasina will attend a virtual event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi. It is scheduled for 6 PM on August 5, the date on which Hasina fled Bangladesh two years ago.

The venue for the event will be Sir Mark Tully Auditorium on Mathura Road in New Delhi, with live streaming on the FCC South Asia’s social media platforms. Hasina is expected to speak about her future plans and her proposed return to Bangladesh.

First major public appearance since 2024

While Hasina has issued statements, given interviews and attended some events virtually, she hasn't appeared in public since the collapse of her nearly 16-year rule on August 5, 2024, when student-led demonstrations against a controversial quota system evolved into a nationwide anti-government movement that forced her from office.

She left Bangladesh for India after protesters stormed and vandalised official buildings in Dhaka, bringing an abrupt end to her government. Since arriving in India, the upcoming address is expected to be Hasina’s most significant public appearance.

Who else is attending

The invitation lists several Bangladeshi political leaders, diplomats and public figures who are expected to participate in the programme alongside Sheikh Hasina.

Among them are Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who was the former Information and Communication Technology adviser to the Bangladesh prime minister, along with former Bangladesh education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, and Bangladesh Human Rights Watch general secretary Mahammad Ali Siddique.

The panel also includes former Bangladesh cricketer and ex-member of Parliament Shakib Al Hasan; former diplomat and security analyst Aminul Hoque Polash; political and counterterrorism analyst Abu Obaidha Arin; and director of Bangladesh Human Rights Watch USA Shah Mohammad Bakhtiar,

The event will be chaired by FCC South Asia president Dr Waiel Awwad, who also heads the International Association of Press Clubs (IAPC).

Change in Bangladesh

Several changes have occurred in Bangladesh's political landscape since Hasina's ouster. The interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus ended after the February 2026 general election, paving the way for a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The new administration has continued legal proceedings against several leaders of the former Awami League government, while the party's political activities remain banned under the country's anti-terrorism law pending court proceedings.

A tribunal has sentenced Hasina to death for the crackdown on protestors, and Dhaka has repeatedly asked India to extradite her. In a recent interview with AFP, she said she would return to Bangladesh by the end of the year, saying her resolve remains despite the danger of her being jailed or killed upon her return.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.