Dhaka Warns Media Against Broadcasting Exiled Leader Sheikh Hasina

The planned broadcast, hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi, represents Hasina’s first public appearance since fleeing Dhaka in 2024. Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman stated that disseminating her speech would directly violate a December 2024 court order from the International Crimes Tribunal. This ruling currently bans media and digital platforms from airing her interviews or messages, citing her 2025 conviction for crimes against humanity during the student-led protests.

While Hasina’s camp maintains that the event will proceed, the situation has reignited diplomatic friction between Dhaka and New Delhi. Bangladesh has formally requested clarification from Indian officials, warning that permitting political activity by a fugitive could damage bilateral relations. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal distanced his government from the event, characterizing it as a private media initiative that does not reflect official Indian policy. As Dhaka continues to pursue her extradition, the upcoming address serves as a high-stakes test for the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, which is balancing the handling of its most prominent political opponent against the need to stabilize ties with its neighbor.