Hasina will return once democracy is restored in BD: Sajeeb Wazed Joy

FE Team | Published: August 09, 2024 00:00:43

Awami League President and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina will return to country once democracy is restored, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy told PTI, an Indian news agency, reports UNB.
He also alleged that Pakistan's ISI fuelled the unrest in Bangladesh.
He added that the Indian government must 'build up international pressure' for swift restoration of democracy in Bangladesh, PTI reported.
Joy said although 76-year-old Hasina would definitely return to Bangladesh, it is not yet decided whether she will be back as a 'retired or active' politician.
He also asserted that the members of the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman family will neither abandon the people of Bangladesh nor leave the beleaguered Awami League in the lurch.
He expressed gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for protecting his mother and appealed to India to help build international opinion and exert pressure for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.
"Yes, it is true that I had said she wouldn't return to Bangladesh. But a lot has changed in the last two days following continuous attacks on our leaders and party workers across the country. Now we are going to do whatever it takes to keep our people safe; we are not going to leave them alone."
"She will definitely return to Bangladesh once democracy is restored," he told PTI over the phone.
He said India must ensure the security of Awami League leaders in Bangladesh by building international pressure.
With Bangladesh set to get an interim government, Joy also urged it to restore law and order, noting that 'the country is turning into a state of anarchy and becoming a second Afghanistan in the region.'
He said he also expects the interim government to create a level playing field whenever democracy is restored and fresh elections are held.
"You cannot exclude the Awami League and have a representative democracy in Bangladesh ever. Whatever his (Muhammad Yunus) personal views are, he has said that he wants a government of unity and wants to move forward and not let the mistakes of the past cloud over the future. I hope he stays true to his word," Joy said.
Joy mentioned that once democracy is restored, either the Awami League or BNP will come to power, and the "Mujib family and Sheikh Hasina will be around."
"She has been in touch with all our party leaders for the last two days. My mother was going to retire anytime soon, so we thought now that she is gone, they (rioters) would leave our party people alone, but that did not happen. Instead, they started attacking," he added.