Sheikh Hasina Flees Amid Protests
Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, fled the country amid violent protests and has been staying in a safe house near Delhi. Her departure followed weeks of unrest triggered by a controversial government job quota system.
Where Will She Seek Asylum?
Hasina arrived at Hindon airbase near Delhi on Monday evening. Initially, there were speculations that she might seek asylum in the UK, as her sister, Sheikh Rehana, is a British citizen. However, the UK government has indicated that it will not grant her asylum, stating that asylum seekers must claim protection in the first safe country they reach.
India’s Dilemma
With the UK declining asylum, Hasina might consider seeking refuge in India, a country she has previously turned to for safety. In 1975, she took refuge in India after the assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and lived in Delhi for six years.
This time, however, the situation is more complex. Hasina’s recent tenure saw accusations of authoritarianism, curbing free speech, and violent crackdowns on opposition. While the Indian government, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has supported Hasina for her secular credentials and pro-India stance, granting her asylum could signal India’s involvement in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, potentially escalating anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh.
Challenges for India
India faces several challenges in deciding whether to grant asylum to Sheikh Hasina:
- Political Implications: Providing refuge to Hasina could be seen as India taking sides in Bangladesh’s political crisis, complicating future relations with the next Bangladeshi government.
- Security Concerns: The unrest in Bangladesh has already heightened security along India’s 4,096 km border with the country. Islamist groups in Bangladesh, who played a role in Hasina’s ouster, may portray India as interfering in Bangladesh’s affairs.
- Domestic and International Repercussions: Allowing Hasina to stay could lead to domestic backlash and strain India’s diplomatic relations with other countries, including those who might see this as India’s unilateral support for a particular political leader.
Future Prospects
Sources indicate that Sheikh Hasina’s camp is exploring other asylum options and she may leave India within the next 48 hours for Europe. Meanwhile, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that Hasina had sought approval to come to India on short notice due to the turmoil in Bangladesh.
Jaishankar, addressing an all-party meeting, emphasized that the Indian government wants to provide Hasina with time and space to decide her next steps.
As the situation unfolds, the future of Sheikh Hasina remains uncertain, and India’s role in her asylum request will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.
