Sheikh Hasina's Delhi press conference to go ahead with no Indian objection: Organisers

Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a press conference in New Delhi on August 5, organised by the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia). The event, marking the second anniversary of her ouster, will be held virtually. Organisers said she is expected to speak about her return to Bangladesh and future political plans.

FCC South Asia President Dr Wael Awwad said the former prime minister is being given the opportunity to speak as part of freedom of expression and objective journalism, despite being convicted by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal. He noted that the Bangladesh High Commissioner had been invited to address the club multiple times since January 19 but had not responded.

Awwad said the club is maintaining a neutral position and that the Indian government has raised no objections to the event.

The programme is scheduled for August 5 from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Sir Mark Tully Auditorium on Mathura Road, New Delhi. Journalists from around the world will have the opportunity to ask questions, and the event will be livestreamed on the club's social media platforms. Awwad, who is also president of the International Association of Press Clubs, will moderate the session.

Alongside Hasina, the panel will include her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, former cricketer and MP Shakib Al Hasan, former diplomat Aminul Haque Palash, analysts Abu Obaidah Arin and Shah Mohammad Bakhtiar.

Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, following a student-led mass uprising. According to a UN report, up to 1,400 people may have been killed between July 15 and August 5, 2024, during the crackdown on the protests. In November last year, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia.

Under the BNP government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, formed through elections in February this year, legal proceedings are ongoing against several Awami League leaders. The party's political activities remain suspended under anti-terrorism laws until court proceedings are resolved. Bangladesh has repeatedly requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina. On July 30, the Law Minister said she would be arrested upon her return.

On July 30, a report by India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs presented in the Lok Sabha stated that the Indian government had clarified that Sheikh Hasina had not been allowed to use any political platform or Indian territory for political activities. The report also said Bangladesh's extradition request was "being examined by the concerned authorities."