Bangladesh is moving toward executing its former leader, Sheikh Hasina, a decision that has reignited tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi. The Bangladesh plans to execute its former leader has become a critical geopolitical issue, as India holds the power to decide whether she will face justice in Bangladesh or remain under its protection. Hasina, once a celebrated secular heroine, now faces a death sentence for crimes committed during the suppression of nationwide protests in 2024.
Sheikh Hasina’s political journey is intertwined with tragedy and resilience. The eldest daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s “Father of the Nation,” Hasina witnessed the brutal assassination of her family during a 1975 military coup. She survived because she was abroad at the time, beginning her first exile in India, which would leave a lasting mark on her political outlook.
Returning to Bangladesh in 1981, Hasina stepped into a highly charged political environment dominated by her lifelong rival, Khaleda Zia. Over the next three decades, the two women, often referred to as the “Battling Begums,” led Bangladesh through alternating periods of intense political competition, development, and controversy.
Hasina’s tenure in power spanned 15 years, marked by impressive economic growth but increasing authoritarianism. She pursued the prosecution of her father’s assassins, but her administration was also accused of political repression, media crackdowns, and intimidation of opposition parties. Despite this, her alliance with India strengthened regional ties and offered New Delhi strategic advantages, particularly against neighboring Pakistan and China.
The tide turned in 2024, when mass student-led protests against government policies escalated into a nationwide movement. Hasina’s forces responded with lethal force, leaving hundreds dead and ultimately forcing her to flee to India, seeking refuge from public outrage.
Now in India, Hasina faces a death sentence delivered in absentia by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. She was convicted for ordering violent suppression of protests, including the use of lethal force and drones against demonstrators. Families of victims celebrated the verdict, calling it a measure of justice for the bloodshed.
India, which also upholds capital punishment, has remained neutral, emphasizing constructive engagement and citing its legal framework, which allows political exceptions in extradition cases. As a long-time ally of India, Hasina’s survival largely depends on New Delhi’s decision not to hand her over.
India’s stance carries significant implications. Sending Hasina back could destabilize regional security and inflame domestic tensions, whereas offering protection risks diplomatic friction with Bangladesh. Analysts note that Hasina could challenge the death sentence through appeals in Bangladesh’s Supreme Court or even the International Criminal Court, further complicating the situation.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh faces critical elections with the Awami League’s leadership scattered. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, must navigate a deeply polarized political environment, where Hasina’s absence leaves space for rival parties to consolidate power.
The Bangladesh plans to execute its former leader Sheikh Hasina encapsulates a high-stakes battle of justice, exile, and geopolitics. India’s decision will determine whether Hasina faces her sentence or continues to influence the region from abroad. For Bangladesh, the episode marks both the end of a contentious era and the beginning of uncertain political times.
