The then govt wouldn’t allow me to return: Sheikh Hasina recalls her homecoming

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said Bangladesh has established itself as a developing country, defying numerous challenges and obstacles both at home and from abroad.

"We've established ourselves as a developing country. We've made this achievement overcoming so many hurdles both at home and from abroad," she said.

The Prime Minister said this in her introductory speech at the weekly Cabinet meeting held at Bangladesh Secretariat. She joined it virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban.

She vowed to build 'Golden Bangladesh' as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Sheikh Hasina hoped that Bangladesh will advance further in the coming days.

Talking about her 40th homecoming day, the Prime Minister said she returned to her homeland defying all odds and obstacles.

"There were many restrictions…the then government wouldn't allow me to return, there were various conspiracies against me," she recalled.

Hasina said the war criminals, the trial of whom was started by Bangabandhu, were released and they were even in power as the killers were given indemnity. "I didn't think anything…I just returned."

Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League president, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the activists and leaders of the then Awami League who made her president in her absence.

Talking about the distortion of the country's history, the Prime Minister said the real history was erased and distorted. "Now there's a confidence that no one will be able to distort the country's history."

Today is the 40th homecoming day of the Awami League President. On May 17, 1981, she returned home after a long exile.

Boarding an aircraft of Indian Airlines, Sheikh Hasina reached the then Kurmitola Airport here from the Indian capital of New Delhi via Kolkata at 4:30pm on the day.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally killed along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975. His daughters -- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana -- were safe as they were abroad.

In a national council session of the Awami League on February 14-16, 1981, Sheikh Hasina was elected party president, giving the party a much-sought impetus.