In the wake of massive political upheaval in Bangladesh, daughter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Saima Wazed, expressed her deep sorrow and frustration on social media. Saima, who serves as the Regional Director for South-East Asia at the World Health Organization (WHO), shared her distress about the situation in her home country and the personal toll it has taken on her.
“Heartbroken with the loss of life in my country Bangladesh that I love. So heartbroken that I cannot see and hug my mother during this difficult time. I remain committed to my role as RD,” Saima Wazed wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Heartbroken with the loss of life in my country 🇧🇩 that 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
— Saima Wazed (@drSaimaWazed) August 8, 2024
The crisis escalated as Sheikh Hasina, 76, was forced to resign from her position as Prime Minister following weeks of violent protests over a jobs quota system, which resulted in over 400 deaths. Facing a 45-minute ultimatum from the Bangladesh Army, Hasina fled Dhaka on a military aircraft bound for India after resigning.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that the Indian government is providing temporary refuge to Hasina and is awaiting her decision on her next move. “At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from the Bangladesh authorities,” he said.
There had been speculation that Hasina intended to seek asylum in London, but her son, Sajeeb Wazed, refuted these claims. “The reports about her requesting asylum are incorrect. She has not requested asylum anywhere. So the question of the UK or US not responding yet is not true,” he stated.
Sajeeb Wazed also voiced his concern about the attacks on his mother’s party leaders and minorities in the country amidst the ongoing political unrest. He painted a grim picture of Bangladesh’s future, comparing it to conflict-ridden regions. “I wanted to say Pakistan, but it looks more like Bangladesh is becoming like Syria. They (the people of Bangladesh) have made their future. They will have to live with it. It’s going to be bleak, economic growth is going to stop, militancy will continue,” he warned.
In the wake of Hasina’s ouster, Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus has been appointed to lead the military-backed interim government. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that Yunus would head an advisory council comprising up to 15 members.
The situation remains tense as Bangladesh navigates this period of significant political instability and uncertainty.
