In a covert and highly sensitive development, Sajeeb Wazed Joy—son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—has quietly arrived in India from the United States and is staying in New Delhi for the past six days. His visit, kept under wraps from most senior leaders of the Awami League, marks his first reunion with Hasina since her self-imposed exile from Bangladesh in August last year.
According to senior Awami League sources, Joy flew in last Friday to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with his mother. “He spent the entire day with Hasina, though we are not at liberty to disclose the contents of their conversation,” a senior party functionary confirmed, requesting anonymity.
Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in an undisclosed location in New Delhi following her ouster, triggered by aggressive mobilisations of fundamentalist groups in Bangladesh, welcomed her son under what sources describe as an intensely guarded and confidential arrangement. Intelligence operatives orchestrated his arrival with extreme discretion, ensuring that his movements remained concealed not just from the public but also from local security agencies such as the Delhi Police. To avoid detection, they deployed personnel in plain clothes and deliberately bypassed formal convoys.
Sources within the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have confirmed that Joy has no immediate plans to leave India. “He is expected to remain in India for the foreseeable future, but has no intention of making public statements or appearing on social media platforms for now,” an MHA official stated.
Insiders in the Awami League suggest that Joy’s low-profile visit could be strategically significant. With the interim government in Dhaka enforcing a strict ban on Awami League’s political activities—both within Bangladesh and online—Joy is believed to be quietly formulating the Awami League’s next course of action from Indian soil.
“Sheikh Hasina has already delivered several addresses via social media from India and is expected to continue that. However, Joy is maintaining a deliberate distance from public engagement at this stage,” said a party insider.
Joy, once touted as Hasina’s political successor, recently renounced his Bangladeshi nationality after his passport was cancelled by the interim regime. Following travel limitations tied to his U.S. Green Card, Joy officially acquired American citizenship last month, taking the oath in Washington, D.C. and receiving his U.S. passport shortly thereafter.
His arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport last week was handled with utmost discretion. “We couldn’t provide visible security escorts, as that would have drawn unnecessary attention. Keeping both Sheikh Hasina’s and Joy’s locations confidential was paramount,” a senior intelligence officer said.
Amid this backdrop, security officials have also ruled out any immediate travel by Joy to Kolkata. Despite the presence of over 80 former MPs, hundreds of party workers, and at least 100 retired bureaucrats aligned with Hasina’s administration, who have taken refuge in West Bengal, intelligence agencies consider Kolkata a high-risk zone.
“Kolkata is barely 100 kilometers from the Bangladesh border, making it geopolitically vulnerable. It’s not a secure location for Joy to engage with Awami League loyalists,” an intelligence source explained.
Follow us
