Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy recently spoke out about his mother’s decision to flee the country amidst violent anti-government protests. Joy, who was also Hasina’s chief advisor, revealed that his mother did not want to leave but did so for her safety. He stated that Hasina is in good spirits but is disappointed and disheartened by the current situation in Bangladesh.
Joy emphasized that it was his mother’s dream to turn Bangladesh into a developed country and that she had worked tirelessly over the last 15 years to achieve this goal. He praised her efforts in keeping the country safe from militants and terrorism. However, he expressed his dismay at the fact that the opposition and militants had seized power, forcing Hasina to resign and leave the country.
According to Joy, Hasina made the difficult decision to resign on August 3 in order to prevent bloodshed on the streets of Bangladesh. He claimed that she had wanted a peaceful transition of power, but the protesters were not willing to cooperate. Joy defended his mother’s record, stating that she had provided the best government in the country and had fought militancy with determination.
Hasina’s resignation and departure from Bangladesh came amidst violent protests that resulted in the deaths of at least 300 people, including policemen. She arrived at Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad on a C-130 transport aircraft and is reportedly considering seeking political asylum in London. However, Joy clarified that no decision has been made on her further plans yet.
Following Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that the military would form an interim government and investigate all deaths and acts of injustice during the recent protests. Joy expressed doubts about the army’s ability to normalize the situation, citing ongoing violence by the opposition and militants.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the Parliament formed after elections in January and ordered the release of prisoners from the protests, including former prime minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia. The protests continued with thousands of demonstrators ransacking Hasina’s official residence and family’s ancestral home-turned-museum.
In response to the violence and destruction, Joy condemned the actions of those who opposed the independence of Bangladesh, likening them to the same powers that killed his grandfather, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He expressed concern that the current situation was undermining the hard-fought struggle for freedom in the country.
Overall, Sajeeb Wazed Joy’s statements shed light on the complex and tumultuous political situation in Bangladesh, highlighting the challenges faced by his mother, Sheikh Hasina, and the uncertain future of the country.