Bangladesh Tension Rises as Hasina’s Son Warns of Violence Before Election

Post by : Saif

Tension is rising in Bangladesh as the country waits for a major court verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. One day before the judgment, her son, Sajeeb Wazed, warned that supporters of the Awami League will not allow February’s national election to take place if the ban on the party continues. He said protests may grow and could even turn violent if the government does not change its decision.

Hasina, who is now 78, has been living in exile in New Delhi since August 2024. She left Bangladesh after huge student protests shook the country last year. A United Nations report said up to 1,400 people were killed and thousands were injured during the unrest. It was the worst political violence in Bangladesh since the 1971 war of independence.

A Dhaka court is ready to give its verdict on Monday. Hasina is being tried in absentia on charges of crimes against humanity for the deadly crackdown on protesters. She denies all charges and says the case is politically motivated. Her party also says the trial is unfair and meant to remove her from politics.

Wazed, speaking from Washington, D.C., said the verdict is clear even before it is announced. He believes the court will convict his mother and may even sentence her to death. But he added that she is completely safe in India, where she is under full protection and is being treated “like a head of state.”

The interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, rejects claims of political revenge. A government spokesperson said the trial was transparent and open to observers. The spokesperson also said that the Awami League cannot return to politics unless it accepts responsibility for past abuses and cooperates with the war crimes investigations.

The Awami League’s political activities were banned earlier this year, and its party registration was suspended. Wazed said they will not allow any election to be held without their party. He warned that protests will get stronger and that Bangladesh may see more confrontation if the international community does not intervene.

Violence is already increasing in the capital, Dhaka. Several crude bombs exploded on Sunday, and more than 30 blasts were reported earlier this month. Dozens of buses have been burned. Police have arrested several Awami League supporters on suspicion of sabotage. Security has been tightened with more than 400 border guards deployed, strict checkpoints, and limits on public gatherings.

The government says its top priority is to keep people safe and prevent more chaos. It has no plans to lift the ban on the Awami League. The spokesperson called Wazed’s comments “deeply irresponsible” and said that exiled leaders should not provoke violence from abroad.

Wazed said he and his mother are closely watching events in Bangladesh and remain in touch with party members. He denied having any talks with the interim government or the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is expected to lead the next government.

Hasina ruled Bangladesh for 15 years and is praised for improving the economy, especially the garment industry, which employs millions. But she has also been accused of human rights abuses, jailing opposition leaders, and silencing critics. The 2024 election that brought her back to power was boycotted by major opposition groups.

As the country waits for Monday’s verdict, fear and uncertainty hang over Bangladesh. Many people worry that the coming weeks may bring more protests, shutdowns, and violence unless a peaceful political solution is found.

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