Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Sheikh Hasina, the recently resigned Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has sought refuge in India amid escalating violence and political instability in her home country. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed Parliament on Tuesday, outlining the current situation and India’s response to ensure the safety of its nationals in Bangladesh.
Jaishankar revealed that Sheikh Hasina requested permission “at very short notice” to come to India following her forced resignation. This decision came after intense protests and attacks on police stations and government installations in Bangladesh. “On August 4, the protests took a very serious turn,” Jaishankar informed Parliament, adding that the violence targeted minorities, businesses, and temples.
After a meeting with security leaders, Sheikh Hasina decided to step down and requested immediate approval to travel to India. She arrived in New Delhi on Monday evening, shortly before protesters looted her residence in Dhaka.
Jaishankar emphasized that the situation in Bangladesh is still evolving and assured that the Indian government is in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through its diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals in Bangladesh, of which about 9,000 are students. Most students returned in July.
“In the last 24 hours, we have been in regular touch with authorities in Dhaka,” Jaishankar said, seeking the Parliament’s understanding and support regarding the sensitive issue. He also expressed expectations that the host government would provide the necessary security to Indian diplomatic missions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet.
Jaishankar also addressed concerns about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, stating, “We are monitoring the situation with regard to minorities and welcome initiatives to ensure their protection, but will remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored.”
The political upheaval in Bangladesh poses a challenge for India, especially if the United Kingdom denies Sheikh Hasina’s asylum request. India must navigate this delicate situation carefully to maintain its relationship with the new government in Bangladesh, whatever form it may take.
Jaishankar also alluded to a potential conspiracy to topple Sheikh Hasina’s government, a concern raised by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who speculated about the involvement of foreign powers, specifically Pakistan.
A new “interim government,” likely advised by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is reportedly taking shape. This follows the release of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who was convicted of corruption, from jail.
India’s northeastern states share a 4,096-km border with Bangladesh, raising infiltration concerns. In response, a 12-hour night curfew has been imposed in Meghalaya, underscoring the regional impact of Bangladesh’s internal turmoil.
Sheikh Hasina, now 76, is in an undisclosed location in India, having fled Dhaka just before protesters overran her residence. She has reportedly applied for asylum in the United Kingdom, as the political landscape in Bangladesh continues to shift rapidly.
