Indian MP demands Hasina’s repatriation
Staff Reporter :
Indian MP Asaduddin Owaisi has urged his government to deport Bangladesh’s deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, highlighting growing diplomatic tensions and human rights concerns over recent deportation policies targeting Bengali-speaking communities in India.
Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in India since her removal in August 2024, is wanted in Bangladesh on charges related to the deaths of more than 2,000 people during last year’s mass uprising. Owaisi questioned why she continues to be sheltered in India while poor Bengali-speaking Indians are being forcibly pushed across the border.
“Why are we keeping that deposed leader in the country? Send her back. She is Bangladeshi, isn’t she?” Owaisi told The Indian Express. He criticised authorities for deporting residents from states such as Maharashtra and Haryana, leaving them in “no man’s land,” while Hasina remains in India.
The Hyderabad MP also accused the police of illegally detaining individuals, including women and children, and pushing them across the border at gunpoint.
He described the affected communities as “the poorest of the poor,” mostly slum-dwellers with no legal means to challenge their detention. Owaisi reiterated that detentions based solely on language are illegal, condemning a recent order by the Gurugram district magistrate.
Reports indicate that over 2,000 people have been pushed into Bangladesh since May, with many found to be Indian citizens. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also criticised the push-back operations, emphasising that speaking Bengali does not automatically make someone Bangladeshi.
The Interim Government of Bangladesh has repeatedly requested Hasina’s extradition, but the Indian government has yet to respond. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has urged New Delhi to carry out verifications and repatriations through proper diplomatic channels rather than forced night-time deportations, yet incidents continue.
Owaisi’s comments reflect rising political scrutiny in India over the treatment of Bengali-speaking communities and the perceived double standard regarding Hasina. Amid the ongoing push-backs, Indian politicians are increasingly questioning whether the ousted Bangladeshi leader should herself be repatriated, further complicating the bilateral dialogue.
The situation underscores the delicate intersection of human rights, domestic law, and diplomatic responsibility, with potential repercussions for both Indian authorities and Bangladesh as they navigate this contentious issue.