Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to make her first major public appearance on August 5, 2026, exactly two years after she left Dhaka during the political turmoil that reshaped Bangladesh’s leadership. The date carries strong symbolic significance, marking two years since her dramatic exit amid nationwide student-led protests in August 2024.
The upcoming event is expected to draw international attention as Hasina addresses the developments that followed her departure and outlines her future political plans.
Sheikh Hasina’s First Public Address Since 2024
The virtual interaction has been organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia), headquartered in New Delhi.
The event is scheduled for August 5, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM IST. While it will be held at the Sir Mark Tully Auditorium on Mathura Road, New Delhi, the session will also be streamed live through the organisation’s official social media platforms, allowing audiences worldwide to watch the discussion.
What Is Sheikh Hasina Expected to Say?
During the interaction, Sheikh Hasina is expected to present her version of the political crisis that led to the end of her 15-year tenure as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister.
She is likely to criticise the political developments that followed the 2024 uprising and express concerns over the current administration in Bangladesh.
Another key focus of her address is expected to be her previously announced plan to return to Bangladesh around December 2026. Hasina has indicated that she intends to surrender before the courts voluntarily and legally challenge the ban imposed on the Awami League, the party she led for years.
Legal Challenges and India-Bangladesh Diplomatic Issues
Hasina continues to face serious legal challenges in Bangladesh.
In November 2025, Bangladesh’s war crimes tribunal reportedly sentenced her to death in absentia over allegations related to the crackdown on anti-government protesters during the 2024 unrest. She has consistently rejected the verdict, describing it as politically motivated and unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s interim government has formally sought her extradition from India. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that the request is under legal review in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and legal procedures.
Why Did Sheikh Hasina Leave Bangladesh?
Sheikh Hasina departed Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, after weeks of escalating nationwide protests led primarily by students. Demonstrations intensified across the country, eventually reaching her official residence in Dhaka as political pressure mounted.
Reports indicate that following consultations with military leadership and amid rapidly deteriorating security conditions, Hasina resigned before leaving the country.
Timeline of Sheikh Hasina’s Departure
- Resignation: Facing mounting protests and increasing pressure, Sheikh Hasina reportedly submitted her resignation on August 5, 2024.
- Departure from Dhaka: She and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, left the capital aboard a Bangladesh Air Force Mi-17 helicopter.
- Arrival in India: The helicopter flew to Agartala in Tripura before Hasina was transferred to an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft that took her to Hindon Air Force Station near New Delhi.
- Current Stay: Since then, she has remained in India under security arrangements while legal and diplomatic discussions continue.
Why the August 5 Event Matters
The timing of Sheikh Hasina’s appearance is significant because it falls exactly two years after the events that forced her exit from Bangladesh. The address is expected to provide her most detailed public remarks since leaving office and could influence political discourse ahead of her proposed return later this year.
With legal proceedings, extradition discussions and Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape continuing to unfold, the event is likely to be closely watched by political observers, diplomats and international media.