Sheikh Hasina sought approval to come to India at very short notice: Indian EAM S Jaishankar tells Parliament on Bangladesh crisis

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that Sheikh Hasina requested approval to come to India at a ‘very short notice’ in the wake of the anti-government violence in Bangladesh which led to her ouster and escaping from the South Asian nation.

Hasina resigned and arrived in India after running away from her country, where she served as the longest Prime Minister and even returned to power for another term by winning the general polls in January.

Sources told The Indian Express she was taken to a “safe house”, and is likely to travel to the United Kingdom (UK).

Speaking in the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, Jaishankar said: “Demonstrators converged in Dhaka despite the curfew. Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of the security establishment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apparently made the decision to resign.”

He said: “At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from Bangladesh authorities. She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi.”

Indian government is in touch with nationals currently present in Bangladesh

He said New Delhi is in touch with the Indian community members in Bangladesh.

He said 9,000 students are still present in Bangladesh.

“We are in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through our diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there, of which about 9,000 are students,” he said.

“The bulk of the students have already returned to India in the month of July on the advice of the High Commission. In terms of our diplomatic presence, in addition to the High Commission in Dhaka, we have Assistant High Commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet,” the EAM said.

“It is our expectation that the host government will provide the required security protection for these establishments. We look forward to their normal functioning once the situation stabilizes,” he said.

Jaishankar said the situation in Bangladesh is still evolving.

Hasina arrived at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad after fleeing Bangladesh amid political turmoil.

Remarks on the situation of minorities in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and ongoing violence

Jaishankar said the Indian government is monitoring the situation of minorities in Bangladesh following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina with reports emerging that several Hindu houses and temples have been targeted by fundamentalists in the neighbouring country.

“There are reports of initiatives by various groups and organisations to ensure their protection and well-being. We welcome that, but will naturally remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored. Our border guarding forces have also been instructed to be exceptionally in view of this complex situation,” Jaishankar said.

Several unverified videos are currently circulating on social media where Hindu community members could be seen attacked by fundamentalists.

Two Hindu councillors were among the 100 people killed in Sunday’s violent clashes across Bangladesh.

According to The Daily Star report, mobs targeted Hindu houses and business establishments in 27 districts of the country.

What happened on Monday?

Earlier on Monday, the 76-year-old, five-time Prime Minister, was forced to resign from her position after more than 300 people died in violent protests over a quota for government jobs in that country.

The Bangladesh Army, which gave Sheikh Hasina 45 minutes to resign after her government couldn’t control the violence, took charge of the country.

In a televised address Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said the military will form an “interim government” and told protesters to stand down.

“There is a crisis. I have met Opposition leaders and we have decided to form an interim government to run this country. I take all responsibility and promise to protect your life and property. Your demands will be fulfilled. Please stop the violence,” the Army chief said.