Sheikh Hasina's US visa revoked, says report; son refutes speculations of her seeking asylum anywhere
Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s US visa has been revoked, News18 reported quoting insider sources close to the opposition in Bangladesh.
This development comes amid reports that Western nations, including the US, sought her ousting from power.
Meanwhile, according to Dhaka Tribune, a spokesperson of the US embassy said that visa records are confidential under US law, when they were asked if Sheikh Hasina's visa was revoked.
"...and therefore, we do not discuss the details of individual visa cases," the Dhaka newspaper reported amid social media posts that the US has revoked Sheikh Hasina's, her sister Sheikh Rehana's and the former government ministers', advisors', and officials' visas.
On Monday, Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and came to Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad. Since then security has been strengthened in Indian border areas.
Upon her arrival in India, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met her at the Ghaziabad airbase.
Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Parliament that Hasina reached out to India for safe passage following her abrupt resignation.
Delivering a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar said that Hasina received approval to travel to India at “very short notice".
What did her son say?
Meanwhile, Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed, who is based in Washington, told NDTV that she has not sought asylum "anywhere"
Hasina, 76, was contemplating retirement anyway and now she will retire from politics and spend time with family members, added Sajeeb Wazed.
On being asked about multiple reports about the UK's "silence" on her request for asylum and revocation of her visa by the US, Wazed said, "The reports about her requesting asylum are incorrect. She has not requested asylum anywhere. So the question of UK or US not responding yet is not true".
Asked about the US Visa revocation, he said, "There has been no such discussion with the US".
Hasina is still stationed in Ghaziabad amid various speculations of her seeking refugee in western countries.
File of image PM Modi with Sheikh Hasina/ courtesy: PIB
Will she get UK asylum?
Earlier, it was reported that British immigration rules do not allow individuals to seek asylum or temporary refuge in the country, the UK Home Office told NDTV Tuesday morning, amid speculations that ousted Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina, now in Delhi, will fly to London to claim sanctuary.
The UK government, now headed by Keir Starmer following Labour's landslide win last month, also said individuals seeking asylum must do so "in the first safe country they reach".
"The UK has a proud record of providing protection for people who need it. However, there is no provision for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge," he told the channel.
"Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach - that is the fastest route to safety," a UK Home Office spokesperson told NDTV.
However, media reports quoting sources indicate a formal asylum request is being processed.
What happened on Monday?
Earlier 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.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday made way for the formation of the interim government after officially dissolving the Parliament, a day after ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and escaped to India amid anti-government demonstrations in the country.
Bangladesh's key opposition leader and Sheikh Hasina's longtime political rival Khaleda Zia has been released from prison.
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