New Delhi: A section of the Bangladeshi media appeared to defend the death sentence awarded to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (November 17) by a domestic court in Dhaka for "crimes against humanity" during the July uprising. The media also highlighted the diplomatic hurdles, especially India’s role, and the uncertain future of the Awami League.

Interestingly, the interim government in Bangladesh has warned the print, electronic and online media outlets against publicising the statements and speeches of "convicted and fugitive" Hasina in the country, citing concerns about national security and public order.

'An inevitable verdict'

Calling the death sentence against Hasina "an inevitable verdict", The Daily Star wrote, "For the families of the martyrs, as well as the thousands of protesters who have been permanently disabled by the horrific shootings during the uprising, the verdict against the former prime minister and former home minister may provide some measure of closure. We hope that, as the cases under the ICT [International Crimes Tribunal] continue, all legal steps are taken for the sake of transparency and fairness."

Similarly, suggesting that this verdict has "unquestionably delivered justice", an opinion piece by political analyst Zahed Ur Rahman on Prathom Alo questioned, "Yet one may ask: will the verdict ultimately remain merely symbolic?" In this piece, Rahman underlined that India might not return Hasina and the verdict may remain only on paper.

"The possibility that Sheikh Hasina will be brought back to Bangladesh during her lifetime to face execution currently appears remote. The way the Indian government is providing refuge and security to her, makes it almost certain that she will not be handed back. Evidence of India’s mindset may be found in the fact that despite repeated objections from Bangladesh, including from the chief adviser himself, India has not prevented Sheikh Hasina from persistently making provocative statements against Bangladesh. Even on the day before the verdict, she issued grave threats against the forces behind the uprising," he wrote.

Also read: Bangladesh Court Sentences Hasina to Death, Govt Seeks Her Return; India Stays Circumspect

Further, Rahman noted that the UN and other international organisations are opposed to capital punishment which meant that "it will be nearly impossible to mount pressure on India through them to return Sheikh Hasina". Rahman appeared hopeful that Bangladesh's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus will be able to use his international stature to manage such pressure while adding that the verdict has ended Hasina's political career.

Bhorer Kagoj also underlined India's role in its piece "Will India extradite Sheikh Haisna?" "Although Bangladesh has the right to seek Hasina’s return under the extradition treaty signed in 2013, the geopolitical and diplomatic implications of the deal remain complex. If India agrees to extradite Hasina, the process will involve a number of steps, both in terms of the treaty-prescribed procedures and the harsh realities of international diplomacy," the daily noted.

Dhaka Tribune underlined how Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area, the site of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s demolished house, turned into a "battlefield" after the International Crimes Tribunal announced its judgement against the former Bangladesh prime minister. "At least 50 people were reported injured, though protesters said the actual number could be higher," it noted.

Detailing the hearing, Sangbad mentioned that Hasina can appeal against the verdict, however, she will have to surrender to the tribunal.

'Where does the Awami League go from here'

The Business Standard reported that Hasina's party, Awami League, which is banned in Bangladesh, has "vehemently" rejected the verdict and called for a nationwide shutdown on November 18. The party's Presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak questioned the judicial process in a Facebook post. He alleged that the trial, which began on August 14 and concluded with the verdict on November 17, was completed in just 20 days of court proceedings over two months, involving only 54 of the 84 original witnesses.

"This time, after losing power in a popular uprising, a prohibition has been imposed on all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, while the suspension of its registration has also blocked its path back to the ballot. As a result, Bangladesh is left asking whether the Awami League can ever recover, and what kind of ordeals its leaders and activists may now have to face," bdnews 24 pointed out in the piece "After Hasina’s death sentence, where does the Awami League go from here?".

"Analysts warn that the Awami League’s survival will hinge on its ability to adapt to a leaderless yet ideologically cohesive structure – a process that will depend on the government, the party’s initiatives and the wider geopolitical context," the online newspaper added.

The International Crimes Tribunal, a domestic court in Bangladesh, established by Sheikh Hasina in 2009 to prosecute crimes linked to the 1971 Liberation War, has delivered verdicts in 55 cases over the past fifteen years. Following Hasina’s ouster last year, the reconstituted bench redirected its attention to alleged abuses committed during her fifteen‑year rule, including the violent crackdown in July 2024.

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