BD warns media ahead of Hasina's address from India

Bangladesh warned the country's media not to publicise the statements of exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is due to give a virtual address on Wednesday from India to mark the second anniversary of the uprising that ousted her.

Hasina has remained in India since the student-led protests toppled her government in 2024. She was sentenced to death in 2025 for crimes against humanity over her crackdown on the demonstrations, a verdict she has dismissed as legally void.

The 78-year-old is due to make her first public appearance, albeit by video link, since she fled Dhaka, at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi alongside her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and other speakers.

Hasina's aides have not shared details of the contents of her address, but the former premier told Reuters last month that she and party colleagues plan to return from exile around December and present

themselves in court, a move that would test how Bangladesh's new government handles its most prominent political opponent.

Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman warned Bangladeshi media on Tuesday that announcing or publicising Hasina's planned speech would violate a December 2024 order by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal that prohibits media outlets and social media platforms from publishing or broadcasting Hasina's speeches, statements, interviews, and audio or video messages.

Hasina aide Abu Obaidha Arin said the event would go ahead, adding that Dhaka's "efforts to silence dissent cannot extinguish voices" beyond the country's borders.

Bangladesh had asked New Delhi to clarify its stance on Hasina's planned address, warning India that allowing political activities by a fugitive could hurt improving bilateral ties.

Indian foreign ministry spokesperson

Randhir Jaiswal said Wednesday's event was being organised by a private media entity.