Dbarta24 Desk – Nearly two years after her government’s dramatic collapse during the July student-led mass uprising, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to make her first public appearance.
According to reports from India Today, the ousted leader will deliver a keynote address at a virtual event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) in New Delhi.
The event is scheduled for August 5, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM (IST), and will be held at the Sir Mark Tully Auditorium on Mathura Road. It will also be broadcast live across the club’s official social media platforms.
Breaking Years of Silence
Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following weeks of intense anti-government protests that began as a movement for quota reform and eventually culminated in a nationwide demand for regime change.
Since her departure, the former Prime Minister has maintained a low profile, avoiding public appearances and formal media engagement for the past two years. This upcoming address is being closely watched as it will serve as her first major public statement since the fall of her administration.
Sources indicate that during the event, Hasina is expected to outline her vision for the future and discuss potential plans regarding a return to Bangladesh.
High-Profile Participation
The event is set to feature a diverse panel of speakers and participants, highlighting both political figures and prominent analysts. Among those expected to join are her son and former ICT advisor, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and former Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel.
The guest list also includes notable public figures such as cricketer and former Member of Parliament Shakib Al Hasan, alongside various experts, including security analyst Aminul Haque Palash, political analyst Abu Obaidah Arin, Bangladesh Human Rights Watch Secretary-General Mohammad Ali Siddique, and the director of Bangladesh Human Rights Watch USA, Shah Md. Bakhtiar.
As the anniversary of the government’s ousting approaches, this virtual event has become a focal point of international interest, with observers waiting to see how the former leader characterizes the current state of Bangladesh and her own political path forward.