Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, found herself in a desperate situation after resigning from her post. Faced with a surge of protesters who stormed her official residence, she had to flee the country with only 45 minutes to pack. Forced to leave behind her plans to address the nation, she and her sister, Rehana, boarded a C-130J transport aircraft accompanied by seven military personnel and headed for India.
The journey was marked by heightened security measures, including the deployment of Rafale jets to ensure her safe passage. Hasina landed at Ghaziabad’s Hindon air base on August 5th, where she was met by India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Following a meeting, she was escorted to a ‘safe house’ in Delhi.
India, however, is only a temporary stop for Hasina. Her ultimate goal is to seek asylum in the UK, where her family has deep connections. But there are challenges. The UK Home Office has stated that individuals cannot travel to the country solely for asylum or temporary refuge, and those seeking asylum must do so in the first safe country they reach.
This leaves Hasina’s future uncertain. If the UK denies her asylum, India faces a difficult decision: allow her to stay or force her to move. Allowing her stay could be seen as supporting an ousted leader and potentially strain relations with the new Bangladeshi government. However, India has a long-standing relationship with Hasina and her family, having provided refuge during past crises.
As options are explored, including seeking asylum in Scandinavian countries, the fate of the former prime minister remains in limbo. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, has indicated that she will not return to Bangladesh, leaving a complex and evolving situation for all involved.
