Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus recently voiced his concerns regarding the fate of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Speaking at “The New York Times Climate Forward Event,” Yunus expressed his desire to see Hasina extradited to Bangladesh for alleged crimes committed during her tenure.
“Why shouldn’t she be? If she committed crimes, she should be extradited and brought to justice… She should be facing justice too,” he asserted, highlighting a growing sentiment among some quarters that accountability must prevail.
Hasina, who served as Prime Minister for over a decade, has faced significant criticism over her government’s handling of protests, particularly during the Monsoon Revolution, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of demonstrators.
Yunus reiterated to Indian media that the Indian government should deport Hasina to allow her to face justice for these alleged transgressions.
His words have raised eyebrows in South Block, New Delhi, where officials are increasingly concerned about the implications of Yunus's repeated calls for Hasina's extradition.
Reports indicate that Hasina is currently residing in a safe house at the Ghaziabad Hindon Air Base near Delhi for security reasons, as Indian intelligence agencies believe she faces external threats.
Consequently, she is living incommunicado, unable to meet her daughter, Saima Wazed, who recently assumed the role of Southeast Asia Regional Director for the World Health Organisation.
Saima expressed her desire to see her mother, tweeting about her hectic schedule and obligations, which has led some to question the sincerity of her claims.
Despite attempts to maintain family ties, Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, has also been barred from visiting her due to a lack of diplomatic clearance.
This situation has raised concerns regarding the Indian government’s engagement with the former Prime Minister, as none of the ruling BJP politicians or officials have paid her courtesy calls, aside from National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who was present at the air base upon her arrival.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to meet Hasina, while External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has acknowledged receiving a request for a short stay from her.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Hasina’s status is further complicated by her past relationships with major powers in the region. Historically, she has portrayed China, Russia, and India as ‘all-weather friends’ of Bangladesh.
However, their silence regarding her regime’s alleged human rights abuses and autocratic governance has enabled her to adopt increasingly oppressive measures against dissenters, critics, and journalists.
As the situation develops, the prospect of Hasina’s extradition remains a hot topic in diplomatic circles.
Experts note that Delhi faces a dilemma; extraditing Hasina to Bangladesh could potentially lead to a politically motivated trial, with severe penalties, including the death penalty, for her alleged role in the deaths of students during protests.
The Indian government is acutely aware of the potential backlash and diplomatic fallout from such an action.
Yunus's interim government has indicated that they will await the findings of a United Nations Human Rights Commission investigation led by Chief Volker Türk into the alleged killings during the student-led protests.
The interim administration appears poised to act upon the UN's report before proceeding with any formal requests for Hasina’s extradition.
China is typically reluctant to provide refuge to exiled leaders from other countries, narrowing the options for Hasina's potential future residence.
According to Indian National Security Council officials, the most viable option may be to send her to Russia, which has a history of defying international extradition requests. Such a move could allow India to navigate diplomatic pressures while ensuring Hasina's safety.
The officials have confided that, with Yunus’s recent engagements with world leaders at the UNGA, India is increasingly aware of the challenges it may face in justifying Hasina's continued presence within its borders.
Consequently, the Indian government may consider a transition to Russia as a way to alleviate these pressures, should Bangladesh formally request her extradition.
Speculation continues as to how India would approach this complex situation, particularly if the UN report mandates action. A senior advisor in the Chief Advisor’s Office, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that it may be premature to comment on the implications of Hasina’s potential transfer to Russia.
The international community watches closely as events unfold, particularly regarding Hasina’s future and the implications for Bangladesh's political landscape.
As Yunus and other leaders advocate for accountability, the question remains: What will be the fate of Sheikh Hasina, and how will the geopolitical dynamics of South Asia shape her destiny?
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