Sheikh Hasina Moved to Undisclosed Location in Delhi
In a dramatic turn of events, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has relocated to an undisclosed location in Delhi after resigning and fleeing Bangladesh amidst significant protests.
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This move marks a significant shift for a leader and family that has deeply influenced Bangladesh's political landscape for decades.
Sajeeb Wazed, Hasina’s son and adviser, revealed in a phone interview from Washington that Hasina has no intentions of returning to Bangladesh. “She said she will never go back to Bangladesh,” he stated. “In fact, to be entirely candid, she told me that none of our family will ever go back to Bangladesh.”
Hasina’s departure ends an era dominated by her family's political legacy. Her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was the nation's first president, leading the independence struggle against Pakistan, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. Hasina herself, Bangladesh’s longest-serving prime minister, has been a prominent figure since 2009.
During her tenure, Hasina achieved notable economic progress by boosting garment exports, balancing relations with China and India, and removing Islamist influence from politics in one of the world's few Muslim-majority democracies. However, critics argue that her authoritarian tendencies stifled dissent and filled the administration with loyalists, marginalizing opposition through legal means.
The mounting frustrations culminated in mass protests demanding her resignation. By Monday, Hasina and her sister had left for India. Indian officials confirmed her relocation to Delhi, with potential consideration of several nations for a permanent move. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs did not comment on the situation.
Sajeeb Wazed confirmed his mother’s good health and spirits but expressed sadness over the recent turmoil in Bangladesh. He noted that Hasina had planned to retire at the end of her fifth term, making her forced departure particularly disheartening. Reflecting on the 15 years of consecutive rule, he acknowledged mistakes but emphasized their efforts to correct them.
“Strong leaders in developing countries who win successive elections are often unfairly called dictators,” Sajeeb said, defending his mother’s leadership.
This relocation raises questions about the future political landscape of Bangladesh and the enduring impact of the Hasina family's legacy.
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