New Delhi: Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has expressed serious concerns over the political and security situation in Bangladesh, claiming the country is turning into “another Pakistan” and warning that the developments pose a major challenge for India and the wider region.
Addressing the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in New Delhi through a virtual appearance from Maryland in the United States, the senior Awami League leader alleged that Bangladesh has become a “failed state” following the change in government. He claimed that foreign intelligence agencies, particularly Pakistan’s ISI, now have significant influence in the country.
Joy alleged that hundreds of convicted terrorists imprisoned during the Awami League government have been released and claimed that banned organisations, including Hizb ut-Tahrir, are openly holding marches. He also alleged that individuals linked to al-Qaeda have addressed public gatherings, warning that unchecked extremism in Bangladesh could have long term security implications for India.
He argued that the situation should be a major concern for New Delhi, saying Bangladesh risks becoming a hub for future terrorist activity if immediate steps are not taken. Joy also appealed for sustained international attention to developments in the country.
His remarks come around six months after Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, secured a decisive victory following the end of Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration. Joy maintained that the Awami League’s exclusion from the electoral process meant the polls could not be considered fully representative.
The Awami League leader also questioned official figures related to the violence during the July and August 2024 protests that resulted in Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power. He raised concerns over differences between government and United Nations casualty estimates and criticised legislation that he claimed provides legal immunity for protest related offences.
Joy further alleged that thousands of Awami League leaders and supporters remain in detention without trial and accused the authorities of targeting party workers and journalists. He also warned that Bangladesh’s economy could face deeper instability if the current political situation continues.
The allegations reflect the Awami League’s position on developments since Sheikh Hasina’s removal from office and have not been independently verified. Bangladesh’s BNP-led government and other authorities have not responded to the specific claims made during the event and have previously disputed the party’s characterisation of the country’s political situation.
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