Sajeeb Wazed Joy Refutes Asylum Rumors, Affirms Sheikh Hasina’s Intent to Return to Bangladesh

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has firmly dismissed recent rumors suggesting that his mother has sought asylum abroad. In an interview with ANI on Saturday, Joy stated unequivocally that Sheikh Hasina has no plans to leave Bangladesh and intends to retire to her village home at the end of her political term, regardless of her current political status.

“These are all rumors, my mother has not applied for asylum anywhere,” Joy emphasized. “She has spent most of her life there (in Bangladesh) and does not want to live outside the country. Her plan at the end of this term was to retire and go live in her village home, whether she is in politics or not. She wants to go back home.”

Addressing questions about Sheikh Hasina’s potential return to politics, Joy declined to provide a definitive answer, suggesting that such inquiries should be directed to his mother herself. He underscored that the primary focus of his family is not on political power but on the betterment of Bangladesh.

“That (if Hasina would make a comeback to politics) I cannot answer, that you will have to ask her,” Joy said. “In my family, none of us have ever had a greed for power or politics, other than my mother. The rest of my family has been settled abroad. I have been settled in the US for almost 30 years. But we want to work for our country.”

Joy also expressed his family’s commitment to addressing the current challenges in Bangladesh, including restoring democracy and law and order. He voiced concerns over the deteriorating situation in the country, highlighting the plight of minorities and the breakdown in law enforcement.

“We cannot sit and watch this happen to our country,” Joy said. “To restore democracy, to restore law and order, to keep the people of our country safe—whatever is required, we will do.”

Describing the current state of affairs in Bangladesh as chaotic, Joy pointed out that there has been a complete breakdown of law and order. He criticized the situation where minorities are under attack and law enforcement agencies appear to have ceased functioning.

“There is no law and order,” Joy lamented. “Minorities are being attacked. It’s the citizens themselves that are now taken over to try to ensure law and order and provide security. We have asked our Awami League members, especially the youth, to guard our own leaders, and to try to guard the minorities. But of course, throughout the country, it’s not possible. Throughout the country, the law enforcement agencies have quit; there are no police in Bangladesh right now.”