Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has declared his mother’s return to the country once democracy is restored. Joy, in an exclusive interview with PTI, blamed Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, for instigating the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh. He asserted that while Hasina would definitely return, her political status upon return – whether as a retired or active politician – remains undecided. Joy also emphasized that the Sheikh Mujib family will not abandon its people or the Awami League amidst the current crisis.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for protecting his mother and appealed to India to advocate for international pressure to restore democracy in Bangladesh. Joy clarified his previous statement regarding Hasina’s return, acknowledging the evolving situation following continuous attacks on Awami League leaders and party workers across the country. “We are going to do whatever it takes to keep our people safe; we are not going to leave them alone,” he stated, emphasizing Awami League’s commitment to its people and its role as the largest and oldest political party in Bangladesh.
Joy urged India to ensure the security of Awami League leaders in Bangladesh by building international pressure, highlighting the party’s position as an “all-weather ally of India.” He called for an interim government in Bangladesh to prioritize restoring law and order, expressing concern about the country’s descent into anarchy and its potential transformation into “a second Afghanistan in the region.” Joy also expressed hope for the creation of a level playing field during future elections, emphasizing the importance of Awami League’s participation in a representative democracy. He expressed his support for Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus’s vision of a unity government and urged him to stay true to his word, emphasizing the essential role of Awami League in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
While declining to comment directly on his own and his sister Saima Wazed’s potential entry into politics, Joy affirmed his commitment to safeguarding Bangladesh from total anarchy. He emphasized the Mujib family’s dedication to protecting Awami League and its people, stating, “I will do whatever it takes to save Bangladesh and protect the Awami League. The Mujib family would not leave them in a lurch.”
Joy attributed the unrest in Bangladesh to foreign interference and alleged involvement of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency, citing circumstantial evidence suggesting a coordinated and planned effort to inflame the situation through social media. He pointed to the rioters’ use of firearms, suggesting an involvement of terrorist organizations and foreign powers. While acknowledging the possibility of US intelligence agency involvement, Joy dismissed any Chinese involvement.
Joy dismissed reports of Hasina seeking asylum in the UK or any other country as “rumours” and refuted claims regarding the revocation of her US visa. He expressed confidence in the eventual restoration of democracy in Bangladesh, likely through a power struggle between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Awami League, which would lead to Hasina’s return. Joy revealed that Hasina is currently staying at an undisclosed location in India, emphasizing her desire to return to Bangladesh.
Joy, who spent a significant part of his childhood studying in India, appealed to the Indian government to expedite the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh for regional stability. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for protecting his mother and urged India to exert pressure on the international community to restore democracy swiftly.
Joy addressed the “INDIA-out” campaign in Bangladesh, highlighting the increased activity of anti-India forces and the potential for Pakistan to exploit the situation by supplying weapons to these groups. He stressed the urgency for India to act swiftly before anti-India forces gain further ground.
Joy refuted claims that Hasina fled to save her life, explaining that the family’s decision to evacuate her was made to prevent further bloodshed. He stated that Hasina was initially unwilling to leave the country, but the family convinced her to prioritize the safety of the protestors marching towards her residence. He emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting her but highlighted the potential for significant casualties among protestors. Joy concluded by emphasizing the contrast between the ongoing unrest and the peaceful environment under Hasina’s leadership, highlighting the importance of her return for stability in Bangladesh.
The death toll in the anti-government protests in Bangladesh climbed to 440 on Wednesday, with the recovery of 29 more bodies of Hasina’s Awami League party members across the country through Tuesday, bringing the overall death toll to 469 in nearly three weeks since the protests began in July.
