Sheikh Hasina
The UK Home Office has stated that people cannot enter the country to seek temporary refuge or asylum. This comes amid reports that former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina might have planned to go to London. Hasina, who has been in New Delhi since Monday, fled Dhaka due to safety concerns amid violent protests over job quotas.
The UK government clarified that asylum seekers must apply for protection in the first safe country they reach. They have informed Hasina that the UK cannot offer her legal immunity if she seeks asylum there. Consequently, Hasina is exploring other options and will remain in India for at least two more days due to these uncertainties.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar assured that India will assist Hasina and mentioned that she is currently recovering from the shock of her ousting before any further decisions are made about her next steps.
In a statement to Parliament, the union minister explained that on August 5, despite a curfew, demonstrators gathered in Dhaka. Following a meeting with security leaders, Sheikh Hasina decided to resign and requested permission to come to India at very short notice. The request for flight clearance from Bangladesh was also promptly processed, and she arrived in Delhi the previous evening.
