Sheikh Hasina Resigns Amid Protests, Stays in Delhi for Now

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said on Wednesday that his mother has not decided whether to seek asylum in the United States or the United Kingdom, calling such claims ‘rumours.’ Joy mentioned that Sheikh Hasina will be staying in Delhi for a while.

Sheikh Hasina resigned on Monday and came to India after violent protests in Bangladesh led by students demanding an end to the quota system for government jobs. Joy, in an interview, expressed his concerns, stating, ‘I was worried not because she was leaving Bangladesh, but because she didn’t want to leave Bangladesh. We had to convince her. I said this is not a political movement anymore, this is a mob … they are going to kill you.’

Joy revealed that the decision to resign was made a day earlier but was not announced immediately. ‘She had made the decision a day earlier. Only a few of us knew that she would announce she was resigning and that her plan was to ensure a transition of power according to the Constitution. But when they (protesters) began marching towards Ganabhaban, we said out of fear, there was no more time. You have to leave now,’ he said.

Regarding the leadership in the Awami League, Joy stated that he currently has no plans to enter politics. He also mentioned that his family has faced coups multiple times and has had to live abroad, losing everything.

Joy further clarified that there is no decision for Hasina to move from India to another place. ‘Sheikh Hasina is well and now in Delhi. My sister is with her. My sister lives in Delhi… She is well, but very upset,’ he added.

He expressed that his mother is saddened by the situation, especially considering her father’s sacrifice for the country and the progress she made. ‘She is saddened that her father gave his life for the country, and the entire family lost their lives. The country for which she was imprisoned, worked so hard, and made so much progress, that the people of this country would insult her in this way, expel her, and go on to attack her, was something none of us could have imagined,’ he continued.

Earlier on Tuesday, Joy called on the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and military to uphold the constitution and prevent any unelected government from assuming power. He warned that failing to do so could jeopardize Bangladesh’s 15 years of progress and potentially lead the country down a path similar to Pakistan, which would be disastrous for Bangladesh’s future.

The political situation in Bangladesh remains volatile following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation amid escalating protests. These demonstrations, largely driven by students demanding an end to the quota system for government jobs, have evolved into broader anti-government protests. Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on Monday evening after tendering her resignation. It is not clear if Sheikh Hasina will continue to stay in Delhi or move to another location later.

On Tuesday, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the dissolution of the country’s parliament to make way for the formation of an interim administration. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government.