Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina intends to return to Bangladesh by December, with her homecoming envisioned as a political movement aimed at “national healing” and “national reconciliation,” former Bangladesh Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said in an exclusive interview.
Laying out what he described as the roadmap for Hasina’s return, Chowdhury said the Awami League would mobilise public support while pursuing constitutional and legal avenues to ensure her safe return, despite what he called political obstacles posed by the current administration.
“She intends and wants to return by December. There are many ifs and buts, but our job as a political party is to overcome those ifs and make the timing right,” he said.
Chowdhury maintained that Bangladesh’s judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, possesses the constitutional authority to overturn the verdict delivered by what he repeatedly referred to as the “so-called International Crimes Tribunal.”
According to him, the primary hurdle is not the law but the government’s willingness to uphold it.
“Legally speaking, her rights can always be ensured, but the challenge is the political will. If the government jeopardises her safety and refuses a proper legal process, her personal security will remain at risk.”
Calling on Bangladeshis to support Hasina’s return, Chowdhury said the former prime minister’s message would focus on reconciliation rather than retaliation.
“She seeks healing, not revenge. She wants justice, not anarchy. She wants stability.”
He argued that Awami League leaders and activists continue to face widespread arrests, denial of bail, intimidation of lawyers, and alleged custodial deaths, insisting that peaceful political mobilisation is now essential.
“We cannot sit idle while the country melts down into complete anarchy,” he said.
Warning Against Extremism
In one of his strongest remarks, Chowdhury warned that Bangladesh risks drifting towards religious extremism if current trends continue.
“We have to stop Bangladesh becoming another version of Pakistan.”
He alleged that extremist elements and foreign actors have gained increasing influence over sections of Bangladesh’s security establishment, claiming that individuals accused of terrorism were now being publicly rehabilitated.
“We have seen known terror masterminds being portrayed as freedom fighters. These are palpable signs of institutionalising extremism in the country,” he said.
Without presenting evidence for the allegations, Chowdhury claimed that extremist ideological groups were exerting growing influence over state institutions and warned that continued political polarisation would further destabilise the country.
Calls for Political Consensus
The former minister also painted a bleak picture of Bangladesh’s current economic and governance situation, citing rising inflation, unemployment, electricity shortages and a gas crisis.
He argued that political stability is essential for economic recovery and urged all stakeholders to build consensus.
“Our political aim is to free the country from the grip of extremists and restore the secular liberal democracy that Bangladesh fought for in 1971,” he said.
While reaffirming that Sheikh Hasina hopes to return by the end of the year, Chowdhury acknowledged that significant political developments are still expected before any final decision.
“There are many things that have to happen. A lot of political manoeuvring will take place,” he said, adding that Hasina herself would soon address both the Bangladeshi people and the international community regarding her plans.