Bangladesh Parliament Dissolved, UK Says No Provision To Allow Sheikh Hasina To Travel For Asylum

Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the country's Parliament on Tuesday (6 August) as Sheikh Hasina came to India after resigning as Prime Minister.

Army chief General Waker-uz-Zamam, in a televised address, stated yesterday that the interim government would oversee the transition and ensure a peaceful and fair election.

Until fresh elections are conducted in the country, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus is likely to head the interim government.

Yunus, presently in Paris for the Olympics, described Hasina’s resignation as the country's "second liberation day." Student leader Nahid Islam said that Yunus has agreed to lead the interim government.

Meanwhile, Hasina is still in India as UK Home Officer has said that there is no provision for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge.

Indirectly asking Hasina to stay in India, he said, "Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach - that is the fastest route to safety."

Hasina landed at Hindon airport in Ghaziabad last evening and was received by the Indian Air force officials. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that she came here on a short notice.

The former Bangladesh PM requested permission to come to India "for the moment" and simultaneously a request for flight clearance was sought by the Bangladesh authorities, he told the Parliament.

Hasina wanted to move to UK and had come to India for an interim relief. However, it now appears that she will continue to stay in India unless any preferred country opens its doors for her.