Dhaka: Two days ago, Sajeeb Wazed Joy told the media that his mother Sheikh Hasina would not be returning to politics. However, in a video message posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Joy said they cannot give up in view of the current situation in Bangladesh, where their party leaders and activists are being attacked.
He also indicated that they are ready for discussions and urged the Awami League Party leaders and activists to rise up, bdnews.24 reported.
On Monday, amid a mass movement, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign from her position as prime minister and leave the country.
The same day, Joy announced that she would not return to politics.
However, in a reversal, Joy revealed today that his family would return to politics.
He said: “There is currently a chaotic situation in Bangladesh. There is vandalism and looting across the country. Our Awami League leaders and activists are being attacked and many have been killed outside the cities.
“In this situation, I want to say that the Awami League is the oldest, democratic, and largest party in Bangladesh. The Awami League has not died. The Awami League has freed Bangladesh. It is not possible to eliminate the Awami League. We had said that our family would not engage in politics anymore. However, given the attacks on our leaders and activists, we cannot give up.
“If we want to build a new Bangladesh, it is not possible without the Awami League because it is the largest party. The Awami League is not going anywhere, it will not end. It cannot be finished.”
Joy said: “I urge the leaders and activists of the Awami League to rise up. You are not alone, we are here, the family of Bangabandhu has not gone anywhere.
“We are with you. We are ready to do whatever is necessary to protect our leaders and activists in the country.”
Expressing their readiness for discussions, Joy said: “To those currently in power, we also want a democratic, orderly, and safe Bangladesh—free from terrorism. For that, we are ready to discuss with everyone, provided they eschew terrorism and violence. Sheikh Hasina is not dead. We have not gone anywhere. Democracy and elections in Bangladesh are not possible without the Awami League.”
The students and job seekers waged a movement for quota reforms, but it turned violent and morphed into a popular campaign to topple the government. At least 300 people lost their lives amid the violence across the country during the street protests.
In such a situation, Hasina resigned and left the country on Monday. She travelled to the Indian capital Delhi in a military aircraft.
Reports from Indian media indicate that she has sought political asylum in the United Kingdom even though Joy has dismissed the reports as misinformation.
During her 15 and a half years as prime minister, her son Joy, based in the United States, served as her advisor on information and communication technology most of that time.
