Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule in Bangladesh has come to an unexpected end, prompting her to flee the country amidst escalating unrest. Following her resignation earlier this week, she is currently residing in India, as confirmed by her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who stated that she plans to return once elections are announced.
Wazed Joy indicated that more than 500 lives have been lost during weeks of protests against his mother’s administration, with many casualties resulting from police actions. The ongoing violence marks one of the darkest periods in Bangladesh’s history since the war of independence in 1971.
He expressed confidence in his mother’s eventual return, suggesting that she will re-enter the political scene once an interim government determines a date for elections. The newly appointed interim government, now led by Muhammad Yunus, welcomed the change with the addition of 16 advisers, including two leaders from recent student protests.
Wazed Joy, who has served as an IT adviser during Hasina’s previous terms, emphasized that while his mother intends to return, the decision on her political future remains uncertain. He described his mother as being disillusioned with her treatment during these tumultuous times.
The protests, which initially began over quotas in civil service jobs, escalated into widespread demonstrations demanding Hasina’s ouster, triggered by reports of severe police crackdowns.
He remains optimistic about the Awami League’s prospects in future elections, asserting that given a fair environment, the party would prevail convincingly. He cited the controversial election in January 2024, where Hasina secured a fourth term, as a focal point for opposition claims of fraud.
Wazed Joy has publicly critiqued the interim government’s legitimacy and called for elections within 90 days. However, he has refrained from declaring any personal political ambitions despite familial ties to the founding leader of Bangladesh.
As Hasina and her sister remain in India, speculation regarding her potential asylum in various countries has surfaced, though Wazed Joy refuted these claims, reaffirming that there were no active applications for asylum and that Hasina’s immediate focus is returning to Bangladesh.
In response to criticisms regarding human rights violations during her time in office, he acknowledged past mistakes made by individuals in power but emphasized that corrective actions were consistently taken. Wazed Joy defended his mother’s legacy, asserting her commitment to justice and accountability throughout her leadership.
