Sajeeb Wazed, the son of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, publicly expressed gratitude towards Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in safeguarding his mother’s life amid escalating political turmoil in Bangladesh. Wazed’s comments come in the wake of a tribunal’s decision to sentence his mother to death, linking her to the violent responses during the student-led uprising of 2024, which resulted in significant casualties and political upheaval.
During an interview, Wazed vehemently criticized interim leader Muhammad Yunus, asserting that he posed no real threat to Sheikh Hasina. “Yunus cannot touch my mother and he cannot do anything to her,” he stated, emphasizing his confidence that the legal proceedings against Hasina would not hold up under legitimate scrutiny. He contended that the entire legal process surrounding the verdict is fundamentally flawed, lacking constitutional integrity and due process.
Wazed condemned the expedited nature of the trial—taking just 140 days—and claimed it undermined the rights of his mother, citing the lack of legal representation and the politically motivated appointment of biased judges. He described the trial as a “mockery of justice,” criticizing the current regime’s departure from the rule of law.
Furthermore, Wazed commented on the international implications of Yunus’ leadership, drawing parallels to other Nobel laureates whose legacies have come under scrutiny. He noted the troubling situation in Myanmar regarding Aung San Suu Kyi and expressed concern over Yunus transforming Bangladesh into a failing state amidst allegations of human rights violations.
As Bangladesh approaches a pivotal national election, where Hasina’s political future remains uncertain, Wazed’s remarks reflect a spirited defense of his mother’s legacy as the longest-serving leader in the country’s history. The political scene is tense, with anticipated challenges to her leadership and potential implications for Bangladesh’s governance and human rights landscape.
With the backdrop of international attention and political strife, the situation underscores the complexity of Bangladesh’s democratic processes and the ongoing struggle for political stability in the region.