Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has accused Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, of orchestrating the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh. Speaking on Thursday, Joy claimed there was “circumstantial evidence” pointing to ISI’s involvement in the coordinated attacks and protests that have rocked the nation for weeks.
Joy emphasized that the protests, which began in July, were meticulously planned to destabilize the government and inflame the situation through social media, making it difficult for the government to regain control. He accused the ISI of leveraging these tensions to further disrupt the country, claiming the agency’s role in fueling anti-India sentiments as well.
Despite Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and departure from Bangladesh, Joy affirmed that his mother would return once democracy is restored in the country. However, he remained uncertain about whether the 76-year-old leader would return as a retired or active politician.
“The Mujib family and Sheikh Hasina will be back,” Joy stated, stressing that the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman family, which has been central to Bangladesh’s political history, would not abandon the people or the beleaguered Awami League party. He expressed deep gratitude towards Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government for protecting his mother during this tumultuous time, urging India to build international pressure to restore democracy in Bangladesh.
Joy also criticized the newly appointed interim government, led by Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus, urging them to restore law and order in the nation, which he likened to “a state of anarchy.” He called on Yunus to ensure a fair political environment when elections are held, warning that excluding the Awami League would render any government unrepresentative.
As the death toll from the ongoing protests reached 469, Joy reiterated the Awami League’s commitment to its supporters, condemning the violence against party members. He dismissed rumors that Hasina was seeking asylum and refuted claims of her U.S. visa being revoked, stating that she intends to return to Bangladesh once the political situation stabilizes.
In his appeal to the Indian government, Joy highlighted the urgent need to act against the rising anti-India forces in Bangladesh, whom he accused of being emboldened by the Awami League’s ouster. He warned that without swift action, the situation could further destabilize the region.
Despite the turmoil, Joy assured that the Awami League would remain a key player in Bangladesh’s political future, asserting that “the Mujib family would not leave [the country] in a lurch.” He left open the possibility of his own political involvement, vowing to do “whatever it takes” to protect the party and the nation.
The situation in Bangladesh remains volatile, with ongoing clashes between protestors and security forces, and the future of the nation’s leadership in question.
