Bangladesh Protests: "No Political Comeback For Sheikh Hasina," Says Son Sajeeb Wazed Joy
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who resigned today and fled to India in the afternoon, has ruled out any political comeback for his mother in the wake of her resignation amid escalating protests. In an interview with the BBC World Service’s Newshour, Joy revealed that Hasina had been contemplating stepping down since the previous day and ultimately decided to leave the country for her safety, under pressure from her family. Expressing her deep disappointment, Joy remarked that his mother felt betrayed after years of hard work, only to see a minority rise against her leadership.
“She was so disappointed that after all her hard work, for a minority to rise up against her,” Joy told BBC.
Joy defended his mother’s tenure, highlighting her transformative impact on Bangladesh. He highlighted that when Hasina assumed power, Bangladesh was considered a failing state. Under her leadership, the nation progressed significantly, earning its place among Asia’s rising economies. Despite this, Joy expressed frustration over the current unrest, which he believes undermines her accomplishments.
“She has turned Bangladesh around. When she took over power it was considered a failing state. It was a poor country. Until today it was considered one of the rising tigers of Asia. She’s very disappointed,” he added.
Addressing criticism of the government’s response to the protests, Joy dismissed claims that the administration had been overly aggressive. He pointed to the violence faced by law enforcement, including the killing of 13 policemen in a single day, as justification for the government’s actions. According to Joy, the police were left with no choice but to respond forcefully when faced with mobs that were attacking and killing officers.
“You’ve had policemen beaten to death – 13 just yesterday. So what do you expect the police to do when mobs are beating people to death?,” he asked.
The crisis in Bangladesh has led to significant unrest, with hundreds of deaths reported, predominantly among protesters. The turmoil began with demonstrations against a controversial government job quota, which reserved a significant portion of positions for the families of veterans from the 1971 war of independence. The protests quickly escalated, leading to widespread violence and ultimately to Hasina’s resignation and departure to India. In response to the crisis, India has heightened security along its border with Bangladesh, halting train services and flights to the neighbouring country.
