ISI Behind Bangladesh Crisis, China Never Involved In Our Internal Affairs: Sheikh Hasina's Son | ABP Exclusive

Bangladesh Crisis: As Bangladesh faces unrest, Awami League leader Sajeeb Wazed dismisses Chinese involvement but suggests ISI's role in arming protesters against his mother and former PM Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh Crisis: In an exclusive interview with ABP News, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on Tuesday voiced grave concerns about the current unrest in Bangladesh, attributing it to foreign interference and alleged involvement of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. Describing the dire situation in Bangladesh, Joy remarked, "The situation in the country is very poor, with rampant looting across the nation. Many of our MPs have been attacked, and our ministers' homes have been set on fire. The Bangabandhu Memorial Museum has been destroyed, and now there are attacks on Hindu temples."

On the violent protests plaguing the country, Joy suggested, "I feel certain that there is some foreign force behind this. When the quota protests were happening, our government conceded to their demands. But one night, when slogans like 'Hum Razakar Hum Razakar' were being chanted at a university, which is akin to saying 'I am Nazi I am Nazi' in Jerusalem, the conflict escalated. I suspect someone has escalated the situation."

Regarding the potential relocation of Sheikh Hasina to London, Joy stated, "There is no decision on that yet."

The Awami League leader expressed scepticism about any improvement in the situation following the formation of an interim government. He noted, "I don't think the situation will improve. Protesters have attacked the police, and the police are unable to act effectively. If the police cannot manage the situation, how can any government control it?"

Joy also commented on the allegations of ISI involvement in the unrest, stating, "I believe the ISI is involved because when the movement was underway, there was an armed attack on the police. Students do not have firearms; these weapons are with Jamaat-e-Islami Shibir. Someone must have provided them with these arms, and it is certainly the ISI."

Notably, he dismissed any Chinese involvement when asked about the same, asserting, "There is no Chinese hand in this. China has never been involved in our internal affairs."

Bangladesh Crisis: Sheikh Hasina's Son Sajeeb Wazed Joy Takes Veiled Dig At US

Comparing the current unrest with the 2022 Sri Lankan crisis, on whether he sees a pattern or an international conspiracy behind the latest events in Bangladesh, Joy told ABP News, "Of course, some countries do not want a strong government in our region. They prefer a weak government to control it."

The remark may be a veiled reference to the United States which has previously condemned the state of democracy in Bangladesh over arrests of Opposition leaders. The Biden administration also went on to state that the January elections in the country were not free and fair. "The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated," the US had stated.

Sheikh Hasina's Son On Whether Bangladesh Govt Failed To Assess Situation, Stresses India's Role In Subcontinent

Addressing the destruction of a statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhakha, Joy said, "The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, who opposed Bangladesh's independence, are likely responsible for this."

He further remarked, "The situation is out of control, and only Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League could manage it. However, controlling it now seems impossible."

Reflecting on whether Sheikh Hasina's government failed to assess the situation, Joy explained, "Students were in front of us, and we did not want to shoot them, so we instructed the police and army not to fire. However, the students turned into a mob. Our government was not weak, but my mother said she did not want to harm the students and would let them go."

On the state of democracy in the Indian subcontinent in the context of countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, Joy expressed concern, saying, "It is very worrying for our subcontinent. The Indian government should take stronger action and increase international pressure."

Sheikh Hasina's Awami League retained power in the January parliamentary elections, which were boycotted by opposition parties. The unrest in Bangladesh began with protests against a job quota system, which evolved into a broader movement demanding the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. Hasina on Monday left her official Dhaka residence in a military chopper and flew to Hindon in a Bangladesh Air Force C-130 transport aircraft.