Sheikh Hasina's Exile: A Twist of Fate and Irony

In a dramatic turn of events, Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, resigned and fled the country on Monday amid escalating protests over her government’s controversial policy reserving 30 percent of public sector jobs for families of 1971 liberation war veterans. The unrest has already claimed over 400 lives.

Exiled author Taslima Nasreen, who was forced out of Bangladesh in the 1990s, pointed out the bitter irony of the situation. Nasreen, who faced expulsion by Hasina under Islamist pressure, noted on X that the same Islamist elements have now driven Hasina out of her own country.

As Bangladesh faces a political vacuum, Hasina has taken refuge in India, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirming India’s support and providing her time to decide on her next steps.

(With inputs from agencies.)