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IANS Interview: B'desh will turn into another Pak if BNP-Jamaat attain power, says Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb

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IANS Interview: B'desh will turn into another Pak if BNP-Jamaat attain power, says Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb

New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) The weeks-long unrest in Bangladesh over a quota-related issue took an unprecedented turn on Monday with protesters running amok on the streets of Dhaka, vandalising properties and disfiguring the statue of ‘Father of Nation’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, compelling his daughter Sheikh Hasina to step down as Prime Minister and flee the country.

Amid the rapidly developing situation in the neighbouring country of which India has also taken note, IANS spoke to Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who expressed apprehensions of Bangladesh becoming another Pakistan if the BNP-Jamaat combine attains power, making the life of minorities (Hindus) difficult.

Here are some excerpts:

IANS: What are your overall thoughts on the current situation in Bangladesh?

Sajeeb Wazed Joy: Bangladesh was a poor country and a failed state, but my mother Sheikh Hasina turned it into an ‘Asian Tiger’. However, the opposition, fundamentalists, and probably some foreign forces conspired… they have been trying to get Sheikh Hasina out for years.

They boycotted every election. They carried out attacks on civilians during the past elections, and this time, they used student protests as cover. People get the leadership they deserve and now Bangladesh will see… it will probably go back to being like another Pakistan.

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The current situation is quite out of control. They are not demonstrators anymore, they are heavily armed because the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat are behind it.

Students are in the front… but they have vandalised everything, including the Parliament, they have burned down factories, they have burned people’s houses, and they are hunting our leaders. There is complete anarchy (in Bangladesh) right now.

IANS: There are reports that hundreds of people have been killed and the PM’s residence has been looted…

Sajeeb Wazed Joy: They have set my grandfather’s home, where my entire family was murdered in the coup of 1975 and which was a museum, on fire… there’s complete anarchy in the country right now. There is no law and order. This is not a demonstration, this is violence and terrorism.

IANS: When Sheikh Hasina landed at the Hindon Air Base (near Delhi) today, India’s NSA Ajit Doval met her. What hopes do you have from India?

Sajeeb Wazed Joy: We appreciate India’s support. We appreciate India’s help in keeping my mother safe and letting her go there. The Indian government has always been a good friend. At this point, it will depend on how things play out in Bangladesh. If the BNP-Jamaat ends up in power, Bangladesh is going to become another Pakistan. Jamaat will keep terrorising India on its eastern side.

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So the only hope is if India can bring international pressure to ensure that we have free and fair elections. At this point, the BNP-Jamaat is hunting our people – the Awami League leaders and activists… they are killing them.

Most of them are running for their lives so that even if there are elections, Awami League cannot participate. Awami League is still the largest party… the most popular party.

IANS: Some videos are showing Hindus are under threat in Bangladesh now… Do you think Hindus are safe there?

Sajeeb Wazed Joy: With BNP-Jamaat running free, Hindus are definitely not safe. The Hindus have always been Awami League supporters. Sheikh Hasina’s government kept them safe.

Hindus were trageted in the past as well. They are being targeted again along with other people, so it’s a very unfortunate situation.

There is no rule of law in Bangladesh right now. Firstly, the rule of law has to be established. The last time the BNP was in power, the minorities were targeted. If they come to power again, it will be a very sad day for Bangladeshi minorities.

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IANS: Bangladesh Army chief has said an interim government will be formed soon. What’s your view…

Sajeeb Wazed Joy: Unfortunately, that is the only option available to him. Under the Constitution, the Parliament continues till new elections are held, but the Parliament has been attacked, so there is no effective Parliament in Bangladesh anymore. Legally there is, but it is not able to function because of BNP-Jamaat terrorists.

IANS: What is the likely decision Sheikh Hasina is going to take in the future?

Sajeeb Wazed Joy: I think she will retire. The current term was going to be her last term (as PM) anyway. She has accomplished what she wanted to accomplish. They are trying to terrorise and kill Awami League leaders so that if elections are held, Awami League can’t participate. That’s what the BNP and Jamaat are trying to do.

IANS: Will Sheikh Hasina return to Bangladesh?

Sajeeb Wazed Joy: Probably not…

–IANS

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Lee Hsien Yang seeks refuge in United Kingdom

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Lee Hsien Yang, the youngest son of Singapore’s founding father, the late Lee Kuan Yew, announced on Tuesday that he is now a political refugee in the United Kingdom after seeking asylum from the British government “as a last resort.”

“I remain a Singapore citizen and hope that someday it will be safe to return home,” Lee stated in a Facebook post, as reported by Channel News Asia (CNA).

Citing what he described as the Singapore government’s “attacks” against him, Lee, who is the younger brother of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, revealed that he sought asylum protection in 2022.

Lee Hsien Yang and his late sister, Lee Wei Ling, who passed away earlier this month, have been in conflict with their brother Lee Hsien Loong over the fate of their father’s home following his death in 2015, resulting in a public dispute that has estranged the siblings.

In an interview with the UK-based newspaper The Guardian, Lee alleged that a “campaign of persecution” compelled him to seek asylum in Britain.

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In response to his claims, the Singapore government stated that there is “no basis” for his allegations of “a campaign of persecution” or other assertions regarding political repression in the country.

“Singapore’s judiciary is impartial and makes decisions independently. This is why Singaporeans have a high level of trust in the judiciary,” a government spokesperson remarked.

The spokesperson added that there are no legal restrictions preventing Lee and his wife, lawyer Lee Suet Fern, from returning to Singapore. “They are and have always been free to return to Singapore,” the spokesperson said.

Lee and his wife have been outside of Singapore since 2022, having opted not to attend a scheduled police interview regarding potential offenses related to providing false evidence in judicial proceedings concerning their father’s will and the family home.

Lee and his late sister, who had been living at the property, alleged they felt threatened while trying to fulfill their father’s wish to demolish the house. They also accused their elder brother, former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, of abusing his governmental influence to advance his personal agenda.

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Indo-Russian ties are stronger than ever before at BRICS

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Kazan, Russia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit.

During the meeting, President Putin remarked, “I recall our meeting in July, where we had productive discussions on various issues. We’ve also spoken over the phone several times. I am very grateful you accepted the invitation to come to Kazan. Today, we will attend the BRICS Summit’s opening ceremony, followed by dinner.”

PM Modi responded by expressing his appreciation, saying, “I sincerely thank you for your friendship, warm welcome, and hospitality. It’s a great pleasure to visit such a beautiful city as Kazan for the BRICS Summit. India shares deep historical ties with this city, and the opening of our new embassy here will further strengthen these connections.”

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Laos seeks to enhance nutrition amid climate change concerns

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Laos seeks to enhance nutrition amid climate change concerns

Laos seeks to enhance nutrition amid climate change concerns

Vientiane (Laos), Aug 22 (IANS) Representatives from the Lao government and development partners have attended a conference here titled “Climate Change and Nutrition in Laos: Intersections and Interventions” to discuss the impact of climate change on nutrition in the Southeast Asia country and potential solutions.

Speaking at the conference, deputy director general of the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion under the Lao Ministry of Health Viengkhan Phixay, said, “We gather to address a critical and interwoven issue: the impact of climate change on nutrition and how we can work together to tackle these challenges,” Xinhua news agency reported.

The Lao government is actively engaged in this endeavor, with numerous policies and initiatives aimed at addressing both climate change and nutrition, Lao National Television reported on Thursday.

“By leveraging the Scaling Up Nutrition network in Laos, which is led by the government, and supported by civil society, donors, and the United Nations, we have a robust platform to tackle the negative impacts of climate change while improving nutrition and overall health for everyone in Laos,” Viengkham said at the conference held on Monday.

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The conference featured a series of presentations that not only detailed evidence-based research but also introduced innovative tools for measuring and enhancing nutrition under the impact of climate change.

The conference stressed the critical need for integrated approaches to tackle the intertwined challenges of climate change and nutrition, and setting the stage for impactful future collaborations.

–IANS

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One killed, seven injured in shootout in Iraq

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One killed, seven injured in shootout in Iraq

One killed, seven injured in shootout in Iraq

Baghdad, Aug 22 (IANS) A civilian was killed while seven others were injured on Thursday in a tribal shootout in Iraq’s holy Shiite province of Najaf, according to a local security source.

The shootout erupted in the early hours between armed men from the local tribe in the al-Zarga area in northern Najaf, some 160 km south of Baghdad, a local police officer told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The clash resulted in the killing of an Iraqi civilian and the injury of seven others, including three Iranian Shiite pilgrims, the source added.

A joint force from the Interior Ministry’s emergency response division and Najaf provincial police arrested 53 gunmen from both sides of the shootout and seized weapons and ammunition, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

It added that search operations are ongoing to locate additional gunmen and weapons, with more details to be released later.

The incident took place as numerous pilgrims traveled to the city of Karbala to observe Arbaeen, which marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the Battle of Karbala in 680 A.D.

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Typically, these pilgrims also visit Najaf as part of their journey to Karbala.

–IANS

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Bangladesh seeks $1 billion budget support from World Bank

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Bangladesh seeks  billion budget support from World Bank

Bangladesh seeks $1 billion budget support from World Bank

Dhaka, Aug 22 (IANS) Bangladesh’s interim government has sought $1 billion from the World Bank as budgetary support.

The call came from the country’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan’s meeting with Abdoulaye Seck, the World Bank’s Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, in Dhaka on Wednesday.

He made the plea as the ministry owes more than 2 billion dollars to suppliers in import costs of power and energy, Xinhua news agency reported.

Khan mentioned that the interim government, which was formed with many pressing mandates, is due to settle a $2 billion debt left by the previous government in the power sector.

He said they have already suspended activities under the much-criticized Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply Act 2010 and abolished the government’s power to set energy prices without any public hearing.

On August 5, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, was ousted from her country and power, ending her rule since January 2009.

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This event was seen as a massive escalation, with what initially started as student’s protests and resulted in a major crisis in Bangladesh.

Earlier on August 8, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took oath as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government.

–IANS

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