Summary:
- Former Awami League leaders and ministers, including Sheikh Hasina’s family members, are seeking refuge in India through border crossings amid political turmoil in Bangladesh.
- Allegations surface that Jessore District Jubo Dal Secretary Anisarul Haque Rana assisted Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and Sheikh Helal’s family in crossing the border to India.
- The claims were made by expelled Jessore District Jubo Dal Publicity Secretary Eskander Ali Johnny through Facebook Live, demanding investigation from BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
- Both the Jubo Dal President and Secretary of Jessore District have dismissed these allegations as baseless, stating that Johnny was expelled for controversial activities.
Former ministers and key leaders of Bangladesh’s Awami League are seeking safe passage to India through land borders following the dramatic exit of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The development marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape as the party faces mounting pressure under the interim government.
Key Political Figures in Exile
Sheikh Hasina, who fled to Delhi on August 5, has been joined by numerous family members and party leaders in exile. Her daughter Saima Wazed Putul is in India, while her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy has taken refuge in the US. Other family members, including her sister Sheikh Rehana and several cousins, have dispersed across India, the UK, and Singapore.
Mass Exodus and Violence
The exodus follows widespread violence and attacks on Awami League properties and leaders. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Kamal’s residence was targeted, while Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has remained out of public view since the government’s collapse.
Interim Government’s Response
The caretaker government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has taken strong measures against the former ruling party. The administration announced plans to bar the Awami League from political participation, citing their involvement in what officials term “illegal elections” and “fascism.”
International Appeal
The Awami League has responded by compiling visual documentation of alleged violence against its members, which has been sent to the United Nations and various international organizations. The party claims there has been a surge in attacks on its members since Hasina’s departure.
Electoral Timeline
The interim government has projected that new elections will be held either in late 2025 or early 2026, following the implementation of electoral reforms. This timeline has been established to allow for comprehensive democratic reforms, including the revision of voter registries and establishment of new electoral frameworks.
The political crisis represents the most significant upheaval in Bangladesh’s political landscape since the country’s independence, with the future of its largest political party hanging in the balance as its leadership seeks refuge abroad.
Source: Ittefaq
