Ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina likely to face hurdles in securing asylum due to her dictatorial leadership: Experts

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after her ouster on Aug 5 may find it difficult to seek asylum in countries, particularly India, the UK, and the US given her record of committing brazen human rights violations and dictatorial leadership, suggested experts.

“India provided her with a transit as a humanitarian gesture. But India has not yet offered or agreed to keep her for long apparently because of her unpopular and disrespectful exit and significant human rights abuse under her watch,” retired IFS officer Anil Trigunayat, told Education Post in an exclusive chat.

“If some other country where she wants to go has agreed to keep her or provide her the political asylum, then of course, India will facilitate her departure,” said Anil, who has served in the Indian Missions in Bangladesh, Russia, USA among other countries.

Hasina resigned on Aug 5 ending her 15-year tenure following weeks of intense protests against her government that escalated into widespread unrest and violence.

Her regime has been widely criticized for being authoritarian nature, including political repression.

Currently, Sheikh Hasina is likely to remain in Delhi for a few more days as her plan to seek asylum in the UK has hit a roadblock after the government indicated she may not get legal protection in the country.

“The UK has a proud record of protecting people who need it. However, there is no provision for someone to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach - the fastest route to safety,” said a UK Home Office spokesperson.

Previously, a lot of Bangladeshi leaders took refuge in India after the 1971 war. So, India has been a natural place for Bangladeshis because of the land connectivity and everything, said the ex-Ambassador. Hasina had also sought refuge in India for several years, he added.

“Hasina has applied seeking political asylum in the UK and a few other countries, which are not considering it because of their internal problems. Every country has its policy,” said Anil.

India has provided asylum to various leaders including the Dalai Lama in 1959 under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

"There may have been serious strategic consequences had India owned Sheikh Hasina and decided to provide her political asylum," believes Noor Mohammad Baba, former Professor at the Department of Political Science, Kashmir University.

“Once Hasina was removed from Bangladesh she became a persona non-grata there. In such a situation, India's to own her completely by providing political asylum at the cost of other opposition may have serious strategic consequences. But at the same time, India would not like to lose Bangladesh in the future because the latter is important to India,” Baba told Education Post.

“Therefore, India would not want to be seen as a partisan in favor of someone, who has been thrown out of the country. Also, India would keep its options open about new dispensation that might come in future in Bangladesh,” added Baba, who is also a Member of the Seminar Grant Committee ICSSR, North-Western Regional Centre, Chandigarh.

Explaining why India immediately provided Sheikh Hasina a temporary stay in the country, Baba said, “Bangladesh has been the only country with which India continues to have good relations. Leaving the former prime minister alone in distress and not having bridges with the new government would mean Bangladesh would be completely taken over by China."

Notably, Sheikh Hasina was among the leaders from neighboring countries to have attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term on June 4.

“I think it might not be prudent for the Indian government to keep Hasina here for long because that would mean India becomes partisan in the present conflict in Bangladesh and more importantly that would harm its prospects of building a new relationship with the new regime in Bangladesh,” he added.

“I think the UK and the US could afford to be slightly more generous towards her. However, considering the fact that she had become more dictatorial in her conduct in recent years and her democratically elected government was being questioned all across, both countries may not allow her to stay," added Baba

Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed an all-party meeting on the prevailing crisis in Bangladesh and said the government is in touch with the Bangladesh army.

"Appreciate the unanimous support and understanding that was extended," the External Affairs Minister posted on social media platform X.

"The prevailing situation is serious in Bangladesh and it is worrying for South Asia and East Asia. I hope that there will be a discussion on this in both the Houses and that the government will facilitate it. It is important to discuss the Bangladesh." Manish Tewari, Congress leader told reporters outside the Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi during the meeting questioned Jaishankar about reports of external forces (Pakistan's ISI) influencing the unrest in Bangladesh, to which, the EAM responded by saying, “It is too early to come to such a conclusion.”

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor while speaking to the media about the Bangladesh situation said, “The first and most important signal we need to send to the people of Bangladesh is that we stand with them, India does not have any vested interest whatsoever.”

"Some disturbing reports are coming, of attacks on Hindu homes, temples and individuals. We all saw the pictures of arson and loot yesterday. It may calm down and stabilise in a few days, if it doesn't, then there is a risk even of refugees fleeing to our country and that would be a matter of grave concern," Tharoor added.

Expressing his concerns over the current situation in Bangladesh, Tharoor said, “There are some understandable concerns in India about the increasing influence of the Jamaat-e-Islami, which has taken a very hostile approach towards India in the past, and possible meddling by China and Pakistan. We don't want an unstable or unfriendly neighbor."

"I just hope that our High Commissioner and staff there are safe and monitoring the situation closely. We still don't know who is going to form the interim government,” he added.

Story by Amin Masoodi.