Bangladesh political turmoil: Sheikh Hasina will not return to politics, says her son Joy

DHAKA, AUGUST 6: Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stated that his mother would not make a political comeback as she is "deeply disappointed" by the uprising against her leadership despite her efforts to improve Bangladesh, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Joy, who served as an official adviser to the former prime minister until Monday, mentioned in an interview with a British public service broadcaster's Newshour program that Sheikh Hasina had been contemplating resignation since Sunday and had left the country for her safety following pressure from her family.

"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," Joy said, defending his mother's record in office, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Addressing allegations of excessive force against protesters, Joy stated that the government's response was justified given the violence faced by law enforcement. "You've had policemen beaten to death - 13 just yesterday (August 4). So what do you expect the police to do when mobs are beating people to death?" he said.

Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning from her post amid mounting protests. The protests, primarily by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, escalated into anti-government demonstrations. At least 95 people, including 14 police officers, died, and hundreds were injured in clashes in Dhaka on Sunday, as reported by local media outlet Prothom Alo.

Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on Monday evening after resigning in the wake of protests in Dhaka. It is unclear if she will stay in Delhi or move to another location. Media outlets in Bangladesh speculated that she might proceed to London.

The Cabinet Committee on Security met on Monday at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. PM Modi was briefed about the situation in Bangladesh by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and senior officials.

Upon landing at Hindon Air Base, Sheikh Hasina discussed the situation in Bangladesh and her future actions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Sources mentioned that the Indian Air Force and security agencies are providing security, and she is being moved to a safe location.

Earlier, Jaishankar briefed PM Modi on the current political situation. Celebrations and protests erupted across Dhaka and Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina left the country with her sister. Many people entered Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister's residence, and were seen taking items from public buildings, including the Parliament building.

Prothom Alo reported that agitators set fire to the Awami League's Dhaka district office and Sheikh Hasina's office at 3/A Dhanmondi in Dhaka, chanting slogans and celebrating her resignation. Shahjalal International Airport also closed operations for six hours amid the intensified protests.

Prothom Alo also reported that Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman would soon hold direct talks with student-teacher representatives. In a televised address, he announced that an interim government would be formed during this period of political transition. Nahid Islam, a coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, stated that the outline of the interim national government would be formulated within the next 24 hours.

Additionally, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia called on people from all walks of life to remain calm amid the unrest following Sheikh Hasina's resignation, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune. This message was communicated in a press release issued on Monday by Shamsuddin Didar, an official from the BNP chairperson's press wing.

ANI