Why India might hesitate in giving asylum to Sheikh Hasina
Sheikh Hasina touched down at the Hindon airfield in delhi on monday evening. Her 15-year rule came to an abrupt end due to violent protests and extensive rioting over the contentious quota system. According to early reports, she could apply for asylum in the UK because Sheikh Rehana, her sister, is a citizen of the UK. Sheikh Hasina will not, however, be granted asylum, according to british government sources, who state that "there is no provision within our Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge."
But this time, things aren't quite the same. Following her father's murder, Hasina and her family were well-liked in Dhaka until she sought refuge in delhi in 1975. Bangladeshis had a strong sense of loyalty to the family of their founding father, who had liberated them from Pakistan.
Sheikh Hasina is the target of protesters this time. She has been called a despot who suppressed free expression and used force to suppress her opponents and demonstrators.
If the UK formally denies Sheikh Hasina's request for asylum, india could be wise to reconsider providing her with refuge. According to some accounts, Hasina's son lives in the US, and the US may have also revoked her visa.
Firstly, it would seem that india is endorsing one side in the dispute involving Bangladesh. Due of New Delhi's close proximity to Hasina, there is a strong anti-Indian feeling on the streets of Dhaka.
In light of this, the Centre will need to walk a fine line in order to facilitate negotiations with Bangladesh's incoming administration and to underline that India's relationships are with its people, not with any one leader in particular.
Supporting Sheikh Hasina may possibly lead to unrest on India's eastern data-border. bangladesh and india have a 4,096-kilometer data-border, and because of the upheaval in bangladesh, security in the region has been increased.
The student branch of Jamaat-e-Islami bangladesh, Islami Chhatra Shibir, was the focal point of demonstrations against a contentious government employment quota scheme. Over the last two years, several Islami Chhatra Shibir cadres have reportedly been accepted to Bangladeshi institutions, from where they have allegedly inspired the demonstrations against the Hasina administration.