On August 5, following a popular uprising by students and citizens, Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government was ousted from power. She then sought refuge in India. Reports confirm that she remains in India. Recently, several media outlets and social media posts have claimed, citing a Voice of America (VOA) report, that “Sheikh Hasina may return to the country soon.” These reports allege that “a senior Awami League leader informed VOA that the ousted Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, may soon return to lead protests against the interim government.”
Examples of these reports are available from outlets such as Manobkantha (source), Dainik Amader Shomoy (source), Somoyer Konthosor (source), and Janakantha (source).
Social media posts promoting this claim can be viewed here (archive), here (archive), and here (archive).
Fact-Check
The Rumor Scanner team’s investigation found that the claim about Sheikh Hasina’s imminent return, allegedly reported by Voice of America, is false. While the VOA report mentions that the Awami League plans to initiate political activities and protests, it makes no mention of any plans for Sheikh Hasina’s return to Bangladesh.
The VOA article in question, titled “Party of ousted Bangladeshi PM Hasina plans protests”, was published on October 25. It includes statements from Shafiul Alam Chowdhury, identified as an Awami League Organizing Secretary, who indicated that the party is in contact with its supporters and allies and intends to launch protests against the interim government. Chowdhury reportedly stated, “We are communicating with our activists and plan to mobilize protests along with like-minded groups against the interim government,” adding that the protests could begin within two weeks to a month.
However, at no point in this report did the spokesperson or Voice of America suggest that Sheikh Hasina might return to Bangladesh soon. Rumor Scanner also checked earlier versions of the article using the Internet Archive but found no references to her return.
While Voice of America made no mention of Sheikh Hasina’s possible return, discussions Regarding her return have persisted since her departure to India. In August, Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy reportedly commented that she would return if democracy is restored in Bangladesh and an election is scheduled under an interim government (source). However, Joy had previously remarked that neither he nor any members of the Sheikh family planned to re-enter politics. Claims regarding her return have also been fueled by rumored phone conversations (source) and calls from some quarters urging the interim government to bring her back and prosecute her (source).
Therefore, the claim that Voice of America recently reported Sheikh Hasina may return to Bangladesh soon, as allegedly conveyed by an Awami League leader, is entirely false.
Sources
- Voice of America: Party of ousted Bangladeshi PM Hasina plans protests
