Bangladesh is facing renewed political uncertainty after the government rejected a request for new travel documents from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who plans to return from India in December despite being sentenced to death in absentia. Her possible return has raised questions about extradition, political reconciliation and the stability of a country still recovering from the upheaval that ended her long tenure in power.
Hasina’s return would present the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with a difficult political and legal challenge. The former leader remains a deeply polarising figure, and any attempt to bring her back could mobilise supporters while reopening tensions surrounding the 2024 uprising and the subsequent political transition.
Why Did Sheikh Hasina Leave Bangladesh?
Hasina fled to India in August 2024 after a deadly student-led uprising brought an end to her long period in office. Her government had faced widespread accusations of suppressing dissent, restricting political opposition and weakening democratic institutions, allegations that she has denied.
During her time in power, opposition leaders frequently lived abroad, while opposition parties boycotted elections and questioned the legitimacy of the political process.
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The uprising that forced Hasina from office followed a violent crackdown on protesters. In November 2025, a Bangladeshi court sentenced her to death in absentia for ordering the crackdown. The United Nations has estimated that as many as 1,400 people were killed during the unrest in 2024.
Following the fall of her government, the Awami League was barred from participating in the February general election. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party subsequently came to power, with Tarique Rahman, son of Hasina’s longtime political rival Khaleda Zia, becoming prime minister.
Rahman had himself spent years in self-imposed exile in London during Hasina’s rule, adding another dimension to the political rivalry shaping Bangladesh’s current leadership.
Why Does Hasina Need New Travel Documents?
The immediate dispute concerns Hasina’s ability to obtain the documents required to travel from India to Bangladesh.
Several months after she fled, the interim government revoked her passport and national identity document. On November 9, her lawyers submitted a request to the Bangladeshi embassy in New Delhi for new documents, asking that they be issued quickly.
The request cited her Bangladeshi nationality and the country’s obligations under international human rights instruments.
The government in Dhaka rejected the application, taking a firm position against facilitating her return. Officials also urged India to hand her over under the extradition treaty between the two countries.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir argued that Hasina should not be treated like an ordinary traveller, reflecting the government’s position that her legal circumstances make her case fundamentally different from a routine passport application.
India has not publicly responded to the latest request. In April, however, its Foreign Ministry said it was examining Bangladesh’s extradition request while emphasising its intention to maintain constructive engagement with the new government.
The issue therefore extends beyond travel documentation. It involves competing questions of nationality, criminal accountability, extradition and the diplomatic relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Why Is Hasina’s Return Politically Contentious?
Hasina’s possible return presents a sensitive challenge because she remains an influential and divisive political figure despite being removed from office.
The Awami League has said she intends to return in December, with or without travel documents. However, neither Hasina nor her party has explained how she would enter Bangladesh if the authorities continue to refuse the necessary papers.
Political analysts suggest that the current government is concerned that her arrival could become a major public spectacle and potentially mobilise supporters of the former ruling party.
Her return would also force the government to decide how to handle a former prime minister who has been sentenced to death. Any arrest or legal proceedings could attract significant public attention, while allowing her to move freely could generate criticism from those demanding accountability for the 2024 crackdown.
The dispute also reflects the unresolved political divisions left by Hasina’s departure. The Awami League’s exclusion from the February election has changed the country’s political landscape, but it has not eliminated the party’s supporters or the wider debate over its place in Bangladesh’s political future.
What Has Hasina Said About Returning?
Hasina has previously indicated that she understands the personal and legal risks involved in returning to Bangladesh.
In a telephone interview with Reuters in July, she said she could face arrest or even be killed if she returned. Nevertheless, she expressed a desire to come back voluntarily and surrender to the authorities.
She also described her wish to return in deeply personal terms, referring to her family history and the graves of her parents in Bangladesh.
Hasina further argued that returning was important because of the difficulties faced by Awami League members and supporters in the absence of their political leadership.
Her aides have said she will provide more details about her plans in the coming weeks. For now, the uncertainty surrounding her travel documents leaves the practical arrangements for her return unresolved.
What Risks Does Her Return Pose for Bangladesh?
Bangladesh is still dealing with the political and economic consequences of the 2024 uprising and the transition that followed. As the world’s second-largest garment exporter, the country has an important role in global manufacturing and trade, making political stability particularly significant for its economy.
Although the February election brought a new government to power, tensions remain high. Economic pressures have also intensified, with the conflict in the Middle East contributing to higher living costs and severe shortages of fuel and electricity.
Hasina’s return could add another source of instability. A large public mobilisation in her support could revive political confrontations, while any attempt by authorities to arrest her could trigger demonstrations or unrest.
The government would also face pressure from competing constituencies. Those demanding justice for victims of the 2024 crackdown may oppose any arrangement that allows Hasina to avoid legal proceedings, while her supporters may view her return as an opportunity to reassert the Awami League’s political presence.
The situation could also affect relations with India, which has hosted Hasina since her departure. Dhaka’s demand for her extradition places New Delhi in a sensitive diplomatic position, particularly as both countries seek to manage their bilateral relationship under a new political leadership in Bangladesh.
What Happens Next?
The coming weeks will determine whether Hasina’s announced December return becomes a concrete political development or remains an unresolved declaration.
The immediate questions concern whether Bangladesh will reconsider its position on her travel documents, whether India will take further action on the extradition request and how the Awami League intends to proceed if Hasina cannot obtain official permission to travel.
For Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the challenge will be managing the legal process while preventing the dispute from destabilising the wider political transition.
Ultimately, Hasina’s possible return is about more than the future of one former prime minister. It touches on accountability for the 2024 violence, the political rights of the former ruling party, Bangladesh’s relationship with India and the country’s ability to move beyond a deeply polarised period. How the government handles the issue could shape the political climate well beyond December.
With information from Reuters.
