Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has shed light on the events leading to his mother’s departure from the country amidst escalating protests. In an interview with German agency Deutsche Welle, Joy revealed that Hasina was initially hesitant to leave but was ultimately convinced to do so for her safety. He emphasized, “I was worried not because she was leaving Bangladesh, but because she didn’t want to leave Bangladesh. We had to convince her. I said this is not a political movement anymore, this is a mob… they are going to kill you.”
Joy explained that Hasina’s decision to resign came only a day prior to her departure and that she had intended to ensure a smooth transition of power according to the constitution. However, the situation escalated when protestors began marching towards her residence, prompting an immediate evacuation. “She had made the decision a day earlier. Only a few of us knew that she would announce she was resigning and that her plan was to ensure a transition of power according to the Constitution. But when they (protesters) began marching towards Ganabhaban, we said out of fear, there was no more time. You have to leave now,” he told DW.
Further addressing rumors of Hasina seeking asylum in the US or UK, Joy asserted that no such decision has been made. “These (reports about plan for asylum in the US and UK) are all rumours. She has not made a decision on that yet. She is going to stay in Delhi for a little while,” he stated. He confirmed that Hasina is in good health, although visibly upset by the events. “There is no decision for her (Hasina) to move from India to another place. Sheikh Hasina is well and now in Delhi. My sister is with her. My sister lives in Delhi… She is well, but very upset,” he added.
In response to questions about potential leadership within Hasina’s Awami League party, Joy stated that he has no immediate plans to enter politics. “There is no such plan right now. This is the third time a coup d’état was staged against our family. For the third time, we had to live abroad, losing everything. Except for my mother and me, all of us have been abroad for a long time. We are settled here. We have no difficulties in life here. We are accustomed to living here,” he said.
Joy also addressed the ongoing protests, calling for Bangladesh’s security forces to uphold the constitution and prevent an unelected government from seizing power. He voiced concerns about the potential consequences of a power grab, warning that it could jeopardize the country’s progress and lead to a similar situation to Pakistan. “To the Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and our military: I urge you to understand your responsibility–to keep our people safe, to keep our country safe, and to protect and uphold our constitution. This means that no unelected government should be allowed to hold power, even for one minute. This is your duty. If this happens, we risk ending up like Pakistan. All our 15 years of progress could be undone, and Bangladesh may never recover. I do not want that, and neither do you. As long as I am able, I will not allow it,” he stated.
Joy also condemned the protests, labeling them as terrorism, and expressed sadness over the attacks directed towards his mother and her family. “She is saddened that her father gave his life for the country, and the entire family lost their lives. The country for which she was imprisoned, worked so hard, and made so much progress, that the people of this country would insult her in this way, expel her, and go on to attack her, was something none of us could have imagined,” he said. He further emphasized, “Power cannot be seized through violence and killing. This is not a protest; when police killings occur, innocent people are targeted, homes are set on fire and journalists are killed–it turns into terrorism. Terrorism can only be fought in one way. I request that our law enforcement agencies have shown great patience. However, this cannot be tolerated any longer.”
The political situation in Bangladesh remains volatile despite Hasina’s resignation, with protests continuing. The protests, initially focused on demanding the removal of the quota system for government jobs, have escalated into broader anti-government demonstrations. On August 6, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the country’s parliament to facilitate the formation of an interim administration. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, according to Dhaka Tribune.
The clashes in Dhaka have resulted in at least 135 fatalities, including 14 police officers, with hundreds more injured. (With inputs from ANI)
