Dhaka: Bangladesh’s interim government has formally requested India to return former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In a diplomatic note sent to the Indian government, the Mohammad Yunus-led administration explicitly demanded Sheikh Hasina’s repatriation to Dhaka.
Sheikh Hasina, who also heads the Awami League party, is reportedly residing at an undisclosed location in India. Sources indicate that she left Bangladesh on August 5 this year, following a surge of violent incidents that created a highly tense environment. Concerns over her safety prompted her departure on a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft to Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad, India.
Since arriving in India, Sheikh Hasina has refrained from participating in any public events but has addressed an Awami League gathering virtually. Her absence has intensified political instability in Bangladesh.
While the interim government has not detailed its reasons for this demand, the political tensions between the current administration and Sheikh Hasina are evident.
Experts believe that given the historical and diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh, this demand is a sensitive issue. The world awaits India’s response to this diplomatic note.
Supporters of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh are calling for her return, believing her leadership is crucial for restoring stability in the country. On the other hand, opposition parties and the interim government have questioned her continued stay in India, labeling it as politically motivated.
This development has sparked a new debate in South Asian politics, with potentially far-reaching implications in the coming days.