Two days ago, Sheikh Hasina resigned as Bangladesh’s prime minister, fleeing the capital Dhaka amid violent protests demanding her removal and landing near Delhi. Since then, there has been speculation about where she is headed next. Soon after fleeing Dhaka, some reports claimed that the 76-year-old leader was planning to seek asylum in the UK. But with London hesitant, it is believed that the Awami League leader is considering other options.
What did Sheikh Hasina’s son say?
In an interview to NDTV, Sheikh Hasina’s son and Awami League leader Sajeeb Wazed Joy said reports of his mother seeking asylum in the UK are false. “She has not sought asylum anywhere, so the question of the UK or the US not responding yet is not true. My mother was anyway planning to retire after this term. She is away from politics in Bangladesh.”
Sheikh Hasina’s daughter Saima Wazed is the WHO regional director for South-East Asia and lives in Delhi. But a Twitter post by her shows that she has not met Sheikh Hasina since fleeing Dhaka. “Heartbroken by the loss of lives in my country, which I love. So heartbroken that I cannot see and hug my mother during this difficult time. I remain committed to my role as RD @WHOSEARO@WHO#HealthForAll#OneWHO,” she wrote on Twitter.
What has Britain said?
Sheikh Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana is a British citizen and Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq is a Labour Party politician and a minister in the Keir Starmer government. Also, Britain has a record of granting asylum to many prominent people from the subcontinent, including former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. So soon after fleeing Dhaka, many reports predicted that she would be moving to Britain.
But the UK Home Ministry told NDTV that British immigration rules do not allow individuals to travel to that country to seek asylum or temporary asylum. A spokesperson also said that individuals seeking asylum must “reach a safe country first”.
“The UK has a proud record of providing protection to those in need. However, there is no provision to allow someone to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary asylum,” the Home Office said.
Is America an option?
Sheikh Hasina’s son Joy lives in the US, but he is unlikely to visit there after the deterioration in relations between Washington DC and Dhaka during her tenure. In fact, when the Awami League won the Bangladesh election earlier this year, the US State Department said, “The United States is concerned by the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and reports of irregularities on election day. The United States shares with other observers the view that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated.”
While some reports said the US had revoked Sheikh Hasina’s visa after she resigned as prime minister, there has been no official confirmation of this and officials have said visa records are confidential.
Earlier, after Sheikh Hasina fled the country, the US had said that it stands with the people of Bangladesh. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller had said, “We welcome the announcement of the interim government and urge that any changes be made in accordance with the laws of Bangladesh.” He flagged reports of human rights violations, casualties and injuries during violent protests against the Awami League government.
What about India?
Sheikh Hasina has been in India since arriving here on Monday. Addressing Parliament on the situation in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Sheikh Hasina had sought permission to visit India at a very short notice.
According to the report, the government has said in the all-party meeting that they have given time to the senior leader to decide her next step. According to sources, Sheikh Hasina is in shock and the government is giving her time to recover before discussing these issues.
New Delhi also faces a diplomatic dilemma here. It does not want to be seen openly supporting the ousted leader as this could complicate its relations with the new government in Bangladesh, which is a strategic partner geopolitically. Also, one must keep in mind Sheikh Hasina’s history of relations with India. Much before she became prime minister, the Indira Gandhi government had given her asylum when her entire family, including her father Mujibur Rahman, was killed during the unrest in Bangladesh in 1975. So, giving up on her at this time will also not be an easy decision, given her equations with Delhi.
