Sheikh Hasina, who stepped down as Bangladesh’s prime minister and left the country on Monday after weeks of protests, did so reluctantly.
According to her US-based son and former Chief Advisor, Sajeeb Wajed Joy, she was persuaded to leave for her safety. Joy explained that although Hasina wished to remain, her family insisted on her departure due to concerns for her physical well-being.
“She Did Not Want To Leave The Country”
“She wanted to stay, she did not want to leave the country at all. But we kept insisting that it wasn’t safe for her. We were concerned for her physical safety first; so we persuaded her to leave,” her son Joy told a news channel.
In the interview, he said, “I spoke to her this morning. The situation in Bangladesh, as you can see, is anarchy. She is in good spirits but she is very disappointed. It’s very disheartening for her because it was her dream to turn Bangladesh into a developed country and she worked so hard for it over the last 15 years, keeping it safe from militants and as well as from terrorism and in spite of all of that this vocal minority, the opposition, the militants have now seized power.”
Less than seven months after celebrating her fourth consecutive term—and fifth overall—in January’s national elections, Sheikh Hasina left the country. On Monday, the 76-year-old was evacuated by military helicopter along with her sister to seek refuge in India. According to sources cited by a leading news channel, she is expected to later travel to London, where she may request political asylum.
Her son, however, mentioned that they did not discuss her next destination. During her 15-year tenure, Hasina’s administration was marked by the arrests of opposition leaders, suppression of free speech, and a crackdown on dissent.
She ultimately resigned amidst deadly student-led protests that have resulted in hundreds of deaths. These protests began in June, initially over the abolition of a controversial quota system in government jobs, but quickly evolved into a movement demanding the end of her rule.
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“We Hope That There Will Be Elections In Bangladesh”
Hasina’s son revealed, “We hope that there will be elections in Bangladesh but at this time with our party leaders being targeted I don’t see how free and fair elections would be possible. In a way, it is no longer the family’s responsibility.”
He added, “We have shown what we can do. We have shown How much we can develop Bangladesh and if the people of Bangladesh aren’t willing to stand up and they are willing to let this violent minority seize power then people get the leadership they deserve.”
When asked if his mother acted in the best interest of the country, Sajeeb Wajed Joy responded affirmatively, stating, “Absolutely. The Awami League remains the most popular party in the country. The BNP has a chance to return to power, and we know from their previous tenure that they mismanaged the country, allowed militants to operate freely, and minorities were attacked with impunity.”
Sheikh Hasina’s Former Rival Khaleda Zia To Walk Out Of Jail
In response to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and the military’s takeover, Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of imprisoned former prime minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Chief of Army Staff, announced on state television that Hasina had resigned and the military would establish a caretaker government. “The country has endured significant suffering, economic hardship, and loss of life. It is time to end the violence,” he stated shortly after enthusiastic crowds stormed and looted Hasina’s official residence.
Bangladesh’s Channel 24 aired footage showing people entering the prime minister’s compound, smiling and waving at the cameras, looting furniture and books, and relaxing on the beds. The military also announced that it would lift the curfew imposed to suppress protests at dawn on Tuesday.
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