Bangladesh turmoil: Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return to the violence-hit country when its new caretaker government decides to hold elections, said her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy on Thursday, while it was not clear whether she would contest. Joy had earlier said Hasina would not make a political comeback in the country after she was forced to resign and flee following massive anti-government protests.
Hasina quit and fled to India on Monday (August 5) after weeks of deadly protests, initially held against the controversial quota system in government jobs, spiralled into a broader agitation against the Awami League government, resulting in the deaths of over 460 people. A caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on Thursday.
In an interview, Joy said while the 76-year-old Hasina would "definitely" return to Bangladesh, it was not yet decided whether she would be back as a "retired or active" politician. "For the time being, she (Hasina) is in India. She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election," he said.
"My mother would have retired from politics after the current term... I never had any political ambition and was settled in the US. But the developments in Bangladesh in the past few days show that there is a leadership vacuum. I had to get active for the sake of the party and I am at the forefront now," Joy further said.
Sheikh Hasina's son blames Pakistan's ISI
Asserting that members of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's family will neither abandon the people of Bangladesh nor leave the Awami League party in the lurch, Joy also accused Pakistan's intelligence ISI for fuelling the recent unrest in the country. "Yes, it is true that I had said she wouldn't return to Bangladesh. But a lot has changed in the last two days following continuous attacks on our leaders and party workers across the country... We are not going to leave them alone," he said.
He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for protecting his mother and appealed India to build international opinion and exert pressure for the restoration of democracy in the neighbouring country, saying that Bangladesh is "turning into a state of anarchy and becoming a second Afghanistan in the region".
He also expected the interim government to create a level-playing field whenever democracy is restored and fresh elections are held. "Whatever his (Yunus) personal views are, he has said that he wants a government of unity and wants to move forward and not let the mistakes of the past cloud over the future. I hope he stays true to his word," he added.
Bangladesh's interim government
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge of Bangladesh's caretaker government on Thursday, hoping to help heal the country after weeks of violence. "The brutal, autocratic regime is gone," Yunus said in a televised address to the nation after taking charge. "Tomorrow, with the rising sun, democracy, justice, human rights, and full freedom of fearless expression will be enjoyed by all, regardless of party affiliation. That is our goal."
A harsh critic of Hasina, Yunus became emotional and seemed to hold his tears back at the airport as he referred to a student he said had been shot during the protests and that sacrifice could not be forgotten. PM Modi was among the first leaders to extend best wishes to Yunus saying India was hoping for an "early return to normalcy" in Bangladesh that would also ensure the safety and protection of all Hindus and other minority communities.
"My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development," PM Modi wrote on X.
Many Hindu homes, temples and businesses were vandalised after Hasina's departure, and hundreds in the minority community have tried unsuccessfully to flee to India this week. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council said a schoolteacher was killed and 45 other people hurt. Many Hindus have traditionally supported Hasina's Awami League party, which identifies as secular.
(with inputs from agencies)
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