New Delhi: Political uncertainty in Bangladesh has continued since the change of government in August 2024. Against this backdrop, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy have raised serious concerns about the country’s current situation, including violence, political killings, the economy and the possible return of extremist groups.
Sheikh Hasina joined an event organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi through a video call. It was described as her first major public address since the change of government and her departure from Bangladesh. Her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy also spoke about the situation in the country.
Joy claimed that Bangladesh was becoming “another Pakistan” and said India should take the developments seriously.
Questions Raised Over Violence and Deaths in Custody
Sheikh Hasina alleged that convicted terrorists had been released from prisons in Bangladesh. Sajeeb Wazed Joy, meanwhile, accused the government led by Muhammad Yunus of damaging the economy and pushing the country towards becoming a “rogue state.”
Joy also claimed that deaths in police custody had continued after the change of government. He alleged that some political killings since August 5, 2024, had effectively received legal protection.
He also questioned the “unprecedented indemnity” granted to protesters accused of killing police officers. According to Joy, the measure has made it difficult to pursue legal cases against those accused.
Questions Over Death Toll From 2024 Protests
Sajeeb Wazed Joy also raised questions about the number of deaths recorded during the protests in July and August 2024.
He said a United Nations report referred to around 1,400 deaths, while the Bangladesh government’s figure was around 800.
Joy questioned the gap of nearly 600 deaths between the two figures and asked what happened to those people. He also called on international media to conduct a detailed investigation into the violence that followed the change of government.
Bangladesh-Pakistan Relations Have Changed Rapidly
Relations between Dhaka and Islamabad have also changed significantly since the change of government in Bangladesh.
In December 2024, Muhammad Yunus held a high-level meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Since then, the two countries have taken several steps aimed at expanding trade and connectivity.
Direct maritime trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan resumed for the first time since 1971, with Pakistani cargo ships reaching the port of Chattogram. Between August and December 2024, bilateral trade reportedly increased by around 27 percent.
In 2025, Pakistan’s foreign minister visited Dhaka for the first time in more than a decade. The two countries also eased some visa rules, while direct flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan began in January 2025.
Concerns Over the Return of Extremist Groups
Concerns have also been raised about the possible return of extremist groups in Bangladesh.
Former Bangladeshi diplomat and intelligence official Aminul Haque Polash referred to past incidents while warning about the potential risks.
He recalled the 2004 Chattogram port arms case, in which a large shipment of weapons was seized from 10 trucks. The weapons were allegedly intended for the ULFA, an insurgent organisation active in India’s Assam.
Former BNP government Home Minister Lutfozzaman Babar was sentenced to death in 2018 in connection with the case. However, the High Court acquitted him on January 14, 2025.
According to Aminul Haque Polash, such developments could encourage extremist elements to become active again in Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina Says, ‘I Will Return to Bangladesh’
Despite the cases against her, Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her determination to return to Bangladesh.
“I will return to the people of Bangladesh because I trust them,” she said.
She also said she could be sent to prison or even killed, but that her duty was to restore security, development, prosperity and peace in the country.
Sheikh Hasina further alleged that thousands of Awami League leaders and workers, along with minorities and journalists, were facing harassment and arrests. She also raised concerns about Bangladesh’s industrial production and banking system.
Amid continuing political uncertainty, closer Bangladesh-Pakistan ties and concerns over extremism, the statements from Sheikh Hasina and her son have once again intensified the debate over Bangladesh’s political future.
