Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, known for her strong stance against communalism, commented on the irony of ousted Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina’s recent escape amidst deadly student-led protests.
Ms. Nasreen pointed out that Sheikh Hasina, who had expelled her from Bangladesh to appease Islamists, was now forced to flee by the very groups she once sought to placate. “Hasina, in order to please Islamists, threw me out of my country in 1999 after I entered Bangladesh to see my mother on her deathbed and never allowed me to enter the country again. The same Islamists have been part of the student movement that forced Hasina to leave the country today,” Ms. Nasreen stated in an online post.
Sheikh Hasina fled to India in a military plane yesterday and is expected to seek asylum in the UK. Ms. Nasreen further criticized Hasina for her policies, which she claimed allowed Islamists to gain influence and corruption to flourish. “Hasina allowed Islamists to grow and her people to involve in corruption. Now Bangladesh must not become like Pakistan. The army must not rule. Political parties should bring democracy and secularism,” she emphasized in an earlier post.
Ms. Nasreen has been living in exile since 1994 following death threats from fundamentalist groups over her book “Lajja,” which was banned in Bangladesh but became a bestseller elsewhere. At the time of her exile, Khaleda Zia, the imprisoned rival of Sheikh Hasina, was the prime minister.
Bangladesh experienced one of its deadliest protests on Sunday, resulting in nearly 100 deaths due to clashes with police. Following the protests, demonstrators breached the Prime Minister’s residence on Monday. Ms. Hasina, who had already resigned, avoided a direct confrontation and departed the country on a military plane.
Hours later, the army chief announced the formation of an interim government to stabilize the country. Sheikh Hasina arrived at the Hindon Air Force base in India and is anticipated to leave for London to seek asylum. Her plane was being refueled for the onward journey to the UK.
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