Sheikh Hasina’s Son Claims Bangladesh Is Becoming ‘Another Pakistan’, Flags Risks for India

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, on Wednesday claimed.

That Bangladesh is turning into “another Pakistan” and warned that the country’s deteriorating security situation should be a matter of serious concern for India.

Speaking via video link from Maryland, US, at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in New Delhi, the senior Awami League leader alleged that Bangladesh had become a “failed state” and claimed that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was operating freely in the country.

Joy alleged that hundreds of convicted militants jailed during the Awami League government had been released after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. He also claimed that banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir was openly holding rallies and that individuals linked to al-Qaeda had addressed public gatherings.

“What should concern India most is that Bangladesh has become another Pakistan on India’s eastern side. You have another Pakistan today on your eastern front… This does not portend well for India or the world at large,” Joy said.

He further warned that unless the situation is addressed, Bangladesh could become a breeding ground for global terrorism and urged the Indian media to continue closely tracking developments in the neighbouring country.

Joy’s remarks came months after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, formed the government following parliamentary elections held after the end of Muhammad Yunus’s interim administration. He argued that the polls could not be considered fully representative because the Awami League had been barred from contesting.

The Awami League leader also questioned the official narrative surrounding the July-August 2024 anti-government protests that led to Hasina’s removal from power. He claimed there were discrepancies in the reported death toll and alleged that repeated requests by Awami League lawyers for details from the United Nations had gone unanswered.

Joy also criticised an “Indemnity Bill” passed during the interim administration and later ratified by the BNP government, alleging that it shields protesters from prosecution while denying justice in cases involving the deaths of police personnel, civilians and Awami League members.

He further alleged that thousands of Awami League leaders, workers and supporters remain in jail without trial or bail, while others continue to face political violence. Joy also claimed journalists perceived to be sympathetic to the Awami League had been detained and accused Bangladeshi intelligence agencies of attempting to discourage Indian media from covering the event.

Warning of economic instability, Joy said Bangladesh risks further decline under the current administration and expressed concern over the country’s democratic future.

The allegations made by Joy reflect the Awami League’s position on developments in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August 2024. They have not been independently verified. The BNP-led government and Bangladeshi authorities have previously rejected the Awami League’s characterisation of the political and security situation.