Sheikh Hasina Seeks Refuge in India Amid Bangladesh Protests
New Delhi – Bangladesh’s deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on August 5, 2024, seeking refuge as widespread protests erupt in her homeland following a verdict against her. Her flight landed at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad, marking a return to a country that previously offered her sanctuary decades ago.
This latest development echoes a pivotal moment in Hasina’s life, recalling the aftermath of the 1975 assassination of her father, Bangladesh’s founding President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and most of her family. The current unrest and Hasina’s flight raise questions about the future of Bangladesh’s political landscape and the enduring relationship between Dhaka and new Delhi. The situation unfolds against a backdrop of decades-long political ties and a history of Indian support for Hasina and her family during times of crisis.
The protests follow a legal ruling against Hasina, details of which have not been immediately released, but which triggered immediate and widespread demonstrations across Bangladesh. this is not the first time Hasina has turned to India for support. Following the 1975 coup, she and her sister sought asylum in India, having been abroad when the assassination occurred.
Then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi granted Hasina political asylum, and she lived in Delhi under assumed identities on Pandara Road for nearly six years with her family, including her husband and children.during this period, she cultivated strong relationships with key indian political figures, laying the groundwork for her eventual return to Bangladesh and entry into politics.
Those familiar with the diplomatic history between the two nations remember Hasina’s particularly close bond with former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, to whom she regularly expressed gratitude for the shelter provided to her and her sister during their time of need. She continued to send gifts to Mukherjee until his death as a testament to this gratitude.
The 1971 Liberation War, in which India played a crucial role in supporting Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan, forms the historical foundation of the strong alliance between the two countries. Hasina’s current situation underscores the continuing significance of this relationship and India’s role as a key player in the unfolding political drama in Bangladesh.
