Sheikh Hasina, who stepped down as Prime Minister of Bangladesh and fled the country amidst severe turmoil, may not return to politics, according to her son and former Chief Advisor, Sajeeb Wajed Joy. Disheartened by the overwhelming public dissent against her administration despite her efforts to transform Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina has decided to retire, Joy revealed during BBC’s World Service’s Newshour programme.
“She has turned Bangladesh around. When she took over power it was considered a failing state. It was a poor country. Until today it was considered one of the rising tigers of Asia,” Joy stated.
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The past month in Bangladesh has seen violent protests that resulted in over 300 deaths. Initially sparked by discontent over a government job quota system, the protests quickly escalated into a broader movement demanding Hasina’s resignation.
Critics of Sheikh Hasina have accused her of corruption, nepotism, and authoritarianism, claiming these issues overshadowed the economic progress and development she achieved. Joy, however, dismissed allegations of the government’s heavy-handedness in handling the protests.
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“You have had policemen beaten to death – 13 just yesterday. So what do you expect the police to do when mobs are beating people to death?” he said. Joy also mentioned that Hasina had been contemplating resignation since Sunday and left the country for her safety following her family’s insistence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on the situation in Bangladesh, where over 300 people have died in violent protests, leading to the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed Modi about the unfolding crisis. While it’s uncertain if Modi will meet Hasina, she has fled her residence in Dhaka before it was overrun by demonstrators.
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Sheikh Hasina arrived at Hindon Air Force base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, roughly 30 km from Delhi. Upon her arrival, she was greeted by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. She traveled on a Bangladesh Air Force C-130 military transport aircraft, which is currently stationed near the Indian Air Force’s C-17 and C-130J planes. According to sources, she may head to London to seek political asylum.
In response to the unrest, India’s Border Security Force has heightened security along the 4,096 km border with Bangladesh. All cross-border travel has been suspended, and both Railways and Air India have canceled their services to Dhaka. Air India, which usually operates two daily flights between Delhi and Dhaka, has also suspended these operations.
