‘End of the Hasina era’: Sheikh Hasina had planned to retire from politics, says son

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of deposed former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, said his mother had already planned to withdraw from politics, describing her removal from power as “in a sense the end of the Hasina era”.

In an interview with Al Jazeera in Washington DC, Joy said Hasina, who is currently in India under government protection, had intended her most recent term to be her last because of her age.

“She’s old, my mother’s elderly. This was going to be her last term anyway. She wanted to retire,” he said.

He added that the ruling Awami League would continue to exist without her leadership. “It’s the oldest party. It’s been around for 70 years. It will continue with or without her. No one lives forever.”

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Hasina was ousted in August 2024 following weeks of mass protests that culminated in a violent crackdown by security forces. Hundreds of people were killed during the unrest, with the United Nations estimating the death toll at around 1,400, prompting widespread domestic and international criticism.

Responding to reports by Al Jazeera and the BBC that cited audio recordings in which Hasina appeared to authorise the use of lethal force, Joy said the recordings had been taken out of context.

He said the instructions were aimed at protecting lives and property from militants, not at targeting peaceful protesters.

On Bangladesh’s request for Hasina’s extradition, Joy said India would not hand her over, arguing there was no evidence against her and that New Delhi adhered to due process.

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He said India was currently the safest place for Hasina, although she wanted to return to Bangladesh and retire.

Addressing allegations that the Awami League had incited violence and was linked to the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, Joy denied the claims, saying the party did not have the capacity to carry out such attacks.

“If we had the ability to conduct killings in Bangladesh right now, do you think this regime would still be standing?” he said.

With inputs from agencies