As attacks on Awami League leaders persist in Bangladesh, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has now signaled his willingness to step into politics, despite previously stating that he had no such intentions.
In a conversation with TOI from his residence in Washington, DC on Thursday, Joy declared, “I will do whatever it takes to safeguard the party and its members. If that means joining politics, I am ready. My mother planned to retire after this term. I had no political ambitions and was settled in the U.S. But recent developments in Bangladesh have revealed a leadership void, and I had to get involved for the party’s sake. Now, I am leading the charge.”
These remarks followed the release of Khaleda Zia from house arrest and the anticipated return of her son, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, to Dhaka.
On the day an interim government, led by Nobel laureate Md Yunus, took over in Bangladesh, Joy expressed confidence in the Awami League’s chances in the upcoming elections, stating, “I am certain the Awami League will participate in the election, and we might even win. Our support base is the largest in Bangladesh.” He also refuted rumors that his mother was seeking asylum abroad, clarifying, “For now, she is in India, but she will return to Bangladesh as soon as the interim government announces the election date. I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acting swiftly to ensure my mother’s safety.”
Meanwhile, Joy’s sister, Saima Wazed, confirmed her continued commitment to her role as WHO Regional Director. In a message on X, she expressed her heartbreak over the situation in Bangladesh, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of life in the country I love. It breaks my heart that I cannot be with my mother during this difficult time. I remain dedicated to my duties as RD WHO.” She later added, “To all those concerned: as much as I wish to see my mother, I do not want to compromise her safety.”
Joy also acknowledged the need for self-examination within the party, noting, “Mistakes were undoubtedly made. Governing a country involves making numerous decisions daily. The Awami League values introspection, and we were prepared for that, but this time, we didn’t have the chance. We never expected the situation to escalate so quickly, even after meeting their demands.”
He also warned of the dangers posed by a potential alliance between the BNP and Jamaat, stating, “Such an alliance cannot protect minorities. If the Awami League is not in power, India’s eastern border could be compromised. A BNP-Jamaat alliance might not bode well for India, as Jamaat has a history of militancy.” Joy urged India to apply pressure on Bangladesh to hold elections as soon as possible.
