Sheikh Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed, expressed deep sorrow over the recent turmoil in Bangladesh and her inability to be with her mother during this difficult time. In a heartfelt post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Saima, the Regional Director for South-East Asia at the World Health Organisation (WHO), conveyed her anguish: “Heartbroken with the loss of life in my country Bangladesh that I love. So heartbroken that I cannot see and hug my mother during this difficult time. I remain committed to my role as RD.”
https://x.com/drSaimaWazed/status/1821348386886324579
The turmoil in Bangladesh has escalated dramatically, leading to the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister. Following weeks of intense protests over a jobs quota, which resulted in over 400 deaths, Sheikh Hasina, 76, was compelled to step down. Reports indicate that she fled Dhaka on Monday evening after the Bangladesh Army issued a 45-minute ultimatum.
Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka in a military aircraft and sought refuge in India. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the Indian government is providing Sheikh Hasina time to recover and decide her next steps. “At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from the Bangladesh authorities,” Jaishankar said.
Contrary to earlier reports suggesting that Sheikh Hasina intended to seek sanctuary in London, her son, Sajeeb Wazed, dismissed these speculations. He clarified that Sheikh Hasina had not requested asylum in any country. “The reports about her requesting asylum are incorrect. She has not requested asylum anywhere. So the question of UK or US not responding yet is not true,” Wazed said.
Wazed also voiced his concern over the ongoing attacks on leaders of his mother’s party and minorities in Bangladesh amid the political upheaval. When asked about the future of Bangladesh, he expressed a grim outlook, comparing the situation to Syria. “They (people of Bangladesh) have made their future. They will have to live with it. It’s going to be bleak, economic growth is going to stop, militancy will continue,” he said.
In the wake of Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, Nobel-winning microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus has been appointed the head of a military-backed interim government. The advisory council, led by Yunus, is expected to have 15 members. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced the formation of this interim government, which aims to stabilize the nation during this period of crisis.
The situation remains fluid as Bangladesh grapples with political instability and its repercussions on the nation’s future.
