Sheikh Hasina’s Son Calls Bangladesh Ouster a ‘Political Coup’
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has rejected Dhaka’s extradition request for his mother. In a series of strong statements, he accused the interim government of releasing convicted jobs and allowing militant groups to operate freely. His claims come months after mass protests forced Hasina to flee the country in August 2024.
Joy described the events leading to his mother’s departure as a 'political coup,' not a genuine uprising. He alleged that Pakistan’s intelligence agency had armed militants who infiltrated last year’s protests in Bangladesh. According to him, these groups had long-term plans, including an attempt to assassinate Sheikh Hasina.
He also criticised the interim government, now led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, for extending its rule beyond the expected transition period. Joy claimed that 'tens of thousands of jobs,' previously jailed under Hasina’s administration, had been freed since the new government took over. Among them, he named Lashkar-e-Taiba, which he linked to recent terror attacks in Delhi.
On the legal front, Joy dismissed the extradition request as baseless. He argued that Indian authorities would reject it due to flaws in Dhaka’s judicial process. Expressing gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he confirmed that his mother had been granted asylum in India.
The allegations raise questions about security and political stability in Bangladesh under the interim administration. Joy’s statements also highlight ongoing tensions between Hasina’s supporters and the current government. For now, Sheikh Hasina remains in India, with no immediate prospect of returning to Bangladesh.
