Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has arrived in India and is planning to stay in Delhi for a while, according to her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Hasina, who is 76 years old and the leader of the Awami League, fled Bangladesh after mass protests against her government. She landed at an airbase near Delhi on Monday and was later moved to a secure location.
In a video interview with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, Joy addressed rumors about Hasina seeking asylum in another country. He stated that these are just rumors and that no decision has been made yet. He confirmed that Hasina will stay in Delhi for now, and her daughter Saima Wazed is with her, ensuring she is not alone.
Saima Wazed is the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region, headquartered in New Delhi. Hasina had plans to travel to London, but the UK has been hesitant to provide her refuge. Hasina’s niece, Tulip Siddiq, is a member of the British Parliament.
During the interview, Joy was also asked about his own political ambitions. He laughed off the idea, saying there are no plans for him to join politics. He mentioned that this is the third coup d’état against their family. Most of his family members, except Hasina, have been living abroad for a long time and have settled into their lives. Joy also confirmed that neither Sheikh Rehana nor any other family member has plans to enter politics.
After Hasina’s government fell on Monday, chaos erupted in Bangladesh. Police were absent from their duties, leading to a lack of law and order and unmanaged traffic. A K M Shahidur Rahman, the Additional Inspector General of Police, was appointed on Tuesday to handle the crisis. He called on all police members to gradually resume their duties to ensure public safety and restore order.
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Interim Government
An interim government is set to fill the power vacuum after the army chief announced Hasina’s resignation in a televised address. The announcement followed weeks of deadly violence that resulted in around 300 deaths and thousands of injuries. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, 84, emphasized the need to quickly restore trust in the government. He stated that he does not seek an elected role or appointment beyond the interim period.
Yunus’s spokesperson mentioned that he is expected to return to Dhaka on Thursday after a medical procedure in Paris. Yunus highlighted the need for calm, a roadmap to new elections, and preparations for new leadership. Hasina’s resignation sparked celebrations across the country, with crowds storming her official residence unopposed after her departure, marking the end of her 15-year second term in power.
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