PM tells JS how she came back defying military-backed CT gov

PM Hasina speaks in Parliament on Tuesday 7 May 2024

Dhaka, May 7 - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed gratitude to her party leaders and workers and mass people for their support braving  military-backed caretaker government's threat and barriers against her return home ministry from abroad.

“I was arrested repeatedly. There were many obstacles like direct gun shots. Today, I am able to serve the people by overcoming all the bomb and grenade attacks. I am working for the people after advancing with courage. We are moving forward with the power given by the people,” she said.

She made the remarks while referring to her return to the country from the United States via London on May 7, 2007 during the 1/11 government.

Before this, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdur Rahman initiated an unscheduled discussion in the parliament about Sheikh Hasina's homecoming during the government of 1/11.

The prime minister said that at that time many advisers of the caretaker government also called her and told her not to come to the country.

“We will do whatever it takes to keep you out of the country. Some people even threatened us. It was said that I would be killed at the airport if I returned to Bangladesh. I said Alhamdulillah, I will die on the soil of Bangladesh, but I shall return to my country,” she said.

 Hasina recalled that all airlines were asked not to give me boarding pass.

“I stood at airport in the US for three hours and argued with them and then came to London by British Airways. After arriving there, when I went to board again, I was not allowed” she said.

She mentioned that day she promised to return to Bangladesh at any cost.

“Even when I left for the airport, many people called me and told me not to come, they (military-backed caretaker government)will kill you. I didn't care.”

Expressing gratitude to the leaders and workers of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina said that then it was ordered that no one should go to the airport.

“Even from within my party..the then general secretary of the party told everyone that anyone who goes to the airport will be expelled from the party," she said.

She said that she had just sent the message that everyone will be there at the airport, and when she will get down from the plane everyone will gather at the airport to welcome her.

“I was told that I would be taken to an undisclosed location. when I got into the vehicle I told the driver to follow  the people. Do not go through the flyover.”

She said that thousands of people were on the streets. She thanked the party leaders and workers for ignoring all threats to gather at the airport.

“They not only welcomed me but also gave me security," she said.

Sheikh Hasina mentioned that she went to see Sabina Yasmin, an eminent artist who was suffering from cancer, in a capital city hospital before she was arrested during the 1/11 government.

“It is true that I went there  in a guerrilla style. Because I know I won't be allowed to go out. At that time, avoiding the eyes of the police, I went straight to the hospital,” she said.

At that time she questioned who is running the country.

“That was my question. That day I said something very harsh. The next morning the police, the army came at my home and arrested me," she said.

After the arrest she was kept in a deplorable  building in the parliament area.

She also said that she was repeatedly arested during Ershad regime.

“I stand to thank the people of Bangladesh and the leaders and workers of my party. Many are not alive today. They and the mass people went that day ignoring all threats for which I was able to return to the country.”

Highlighting her sister Sheikh Rehana's role during One Eleven, Sheikh Hasina said, "When I was a prisoner my younger sister Rehana, she doesn't do politics not in front, But she can make anything possible which is considered  impossible.”

The Leader of the House said that people of the country are the only strength and motivation for her.