Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, resigned and fled the country following weeks of intense and violent protests. The unrest began as student-led demonstrations against a government job quota system but quickly escalated into a broader movement demanding her resignation and criticizing her government’s handling of various issues.
The protests, which saw significant participation from students and other segments of society, were met with heavy-handed responses from the government, including police and military crackdowns. This resulted in the deaths of over 300 people and injuries to hundreds more. The situation intensified when protesters stormed Hasina’s official residence, leading to her eventual resignation and departure to India.
The military has since announced the formation of an interim government and promised to investigate the violent crackdowns, urging citizens to remain calm while they work to restore peace.
Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, was interviewed by WION shortly after she fled. When asked about the situation in Bangladesh, Wazed, who resides in Virginia, stated that the developments in Bangladesh are terrible. He also mentioned that militants are now attacking minorities and Hindu temples, indicating that Bangladesh is in a state of anarchy.
When asked if he had spoken to his mother, Wazed replied that she is in good spirits but disheartened and very disappointed in the people of Bangladesh because of what she’s facing despite everything she’s done for the country. He predicted that Bangladesh is going to become the next Pakistan.
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When asked if his mother would return to Bangladesh, Wazed said, “Absolutely not. People have made their choice and will get the leadership that they deserve.”
Regarding his own potential return to Bangladesh, Wazed laughed and said that his family has been “through this thrice and we are done saving Bangladesh. It is not our problem anymore.”
Statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father, were vandalized during the protests. When asked to comment on this development, Wazed described the people of Bangladesh as “very ungrateful.” He noted that he had helped bring Bangladesh into the 21st century without taking a penny from the government and that his family turned the country from poor to middle income.
“Her time will always be known as the golden age of Bangladesh; after this, it will all go downhill,” he said.
When asked if he had a message for the international community, Wazed responded, “No, because they were busy criticizing Sheikh Hasina. Now they can watch the minorities getting killed and see what Bangladesh is without her.”
Finally, when asked to give a message to the people of Bangladesh, he replied, “Good luck!”