Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister who fled her country amid violent protests, is staying in a safe house near Delhi. Sources said that Hasina will stay in India for the next 48 hours as uncertainty looms over where she will seek asylum.
Sheikh Hasina landed at Hindon airbase near Delhi on Monday evening. Initial reports suggested that she might seek asylum in the UK as her sister, Sheikh Rehana, is a British citizen.
However, British government sources have indicated that Hasina won’t be given asylum, citing “there is no provision within our Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge”.
Also, the UK government says “those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety”.
If this rule is to be considered, Sheikh Hasina may seek refuge in New Delhi, a familiar territory for the beleaguered Awami League leader.
In 1975, Hasina took refuge in India with her husband, children, and sister after the massacre of her family, including her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She lived in Delhi’s Pandara Road under an assumed identity for six years, from 1975 to 1981.
However, the situation is different this time around. When Hasina took shelter in Delhi in 1975, there was goodwill for her and her family in Dhaka after the assassination of her father. People in Bangladesh rooted for the family of their founding father who freed them from Pakistan.
This time, Sheikh Hasina is at the receiving end of protests. She has been labelled a dictator who curbed free speech and launched a violent crackdown on her opponents and protesters.
There were no surprises when Sheikh Hasina chose to fly to India after leaving Dhaka. The Indian governments, especially the current Narendra Modi dispensation, have been supportive of Hasina for her secular credentials and pro-India stance — something for which she has been derided at home. Hasina has also been sensitive to India’s security concerns Hasina has also been sensitive to India’s security concerns and kept the Islamist forces in check.
However, India may as well hesitate in giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina if the UK formally declines her asylum. Some reports also suggest that Hasina’s visa has been cancelled by the US as well, where her son lives.
There are a number of issues New Delhi will have to consider before considering Sheikh Hasina’s longer stay in the country.
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