Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Sheikh Hasina, obtains US citizenship following the revocation of his Bangladeshi passport by the Yunus government. This action has caused significant political unrest in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh News: Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has acquired US citizenship. This news has sparked considerable political turmoil in Bangladesh. Significantly, his Bangladeshi passport was previously revoked by the Yunus government, prompting this action.
US Citizenship Oath Taken in Washington D.C.
According to reports from the Bangladesh Daily, Sajeeb Wazed Joy formally took the US citizenship oath at a citizenship center in Washington D.C., receiving a Citizenship Certificate. Following this process, he has also applied for a US passport.
Twenty-Two Individuals Participate in the Oath Ceremony
Reports indicate that 22 citizens from various countries took the US citizenship oath at the ceremony. Three were of Bangladeshi origin, with Sajeeb Wazed Joy being the second to take the oath. He was accompanied by a lawyer to facilitate the legal procedures.
Why Did Joy Obtain US Citizenship?
Mohammad Ali Arafat, a senior politician and former State Minister for Information, clarified the situation. He stated that Sajeeb Wazed Joy previously held a Bangladeshi passport, which was illegally revoked by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus' interim government.
Arafat explained that while Joy possessed a US Green Card, it did not permit international travel. He needed a passport to visit his mother, Sheikh Hasina, and for international travel. This necessity led him to apply for and obtain a US passport.
New Debate Engulfs Bangladeshi Politics
Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power following student-led protests in August of the previous year, after which she left for India. An interim government led by Muhammad Yunus was subsequently formed, implementing stringent measures.
The Yunus government not only revoked Joy's passport but also banned the Awami League, Bangladesh's oldest political party. This ban was justified on grounds of national security and sovereignty.
The government also initiated legal proceedings against Awami League leaders and activists.
Reasons Behind the Awami League Ban
In a press release dated May 10th, the Yunus government stated that these actions were taken to safeguard Bangladesh's security and sovereignty. The statement also cited the need to protect the safety of International Criminal Tribunal witnesses and plaintiffs.
Furthermore, a ban was imposed on all Awami League activities under anti-terrorism laws, including the party's online presence in cyberspace.
