ADVERTISEMENTSpeaking virtually to reporters from New Delhi, Hasina alleged that the anti-government protests were taken over by extremist and foreign-backed elements in an effort to unseat her elected government. Hasina rejected allegations that her government had ordered indiscriminate violence against demonstrators, insisting that security forces had shown restraint even as the situation turned chaotic. Hasina also claimed that Bangladesh’s economy had worsened sharply over the past year. Despite the cases against her, Hasina said she was determined to go back to Bangladesh, insisting that “fear cannot decide my duty to the people.” She added that her return was “not about power” but about restoring “security, development, prosperity and peace” and putting Bangladesh “back on the right track.”