Bangladesh Political Uproar: Know Sheikh Hasina's Old Connection With New Delhi

Sheikh Hasina, along with her sister, is flying to India following violent protests that demanded her resignation. Delhi had sheltered Hasina, her husband, sister and two children after her father and president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated. They stayed at Delhi's Lajpat Nagar and Pandara Road for six years.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to fly out of her country after she submitted her resignation amid massive protests and mounting deaths in the violence. She will be in India, but for a short while, according to sources. It could be a short halt and Hasina would be flying to the United Kingdom.

Hasina, along with her sister, would be landing in Delhi, after pressure mounted for the Bangladesh PM's resignation, amid anarchy and a day of clashes that saw 98 people dead.

1975 Massacre and Exile

The last time a troubled Hasina sought refuge in India was after the massacre of her family, including her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975. Sheikh Hasina took refuge in India along with her husband, children, and sister. They lived in Delhi's Pandara Road under an assumed identity for six years, from 1975 to 1981.

On August 15, 1975, Sheikh Hasina's father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, was brutally assassinated along with 18 members of her family, nearly four years after taking over as the newly former country's president.

Hasina, in 2022, recalled receiving the news of the mass execution of her family and said it was "unbelievable". This incident sent shockwaves throughout Bangladesh, plunging the country into political turmoil and military rule.

Hasina, who was then in West Germany with her husband MA Wazed Miah, was left with no choice but to seek refuge in India. A country that had played a crucial role in Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan.

Life in Exile

Under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, India extended a helping hand to Hasina by providing security and shelter. "Mrs Indira Gandhi immediately sent information that she wanted to give us security and shelter... We decided to come back here (Delhi) because we had in our mind that if we went to Delhi from Delhi we'd be able to go back to our country. And then we'll be able to know how many members of the family are still alive," Hasina said in the 2022 interview recounting moments after Mujibur Rahman's assassination.

After leaving Germany, Hasina along with her family including two young children were initially placed in a secure house in Delhi where they lived under tight security due to fears for their lives. She said in the 2022 interview how she was a secret resident of Delhi.

Hasina's six-year exile in India was a formative period in her life. After landing in Delhi Hasina met Indira Gandhi and it was at this meeting that she learnt about the killing of 18 members of her family. "She (Indira Gandhi) made all arrangements for us. A job for my husband and the Pandara Road house. We stayed there," Hasina told ANI in 2022.

Return to Bangladesh

During this time she forged strong bonds with Indian leaders including Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee and the Gandhi family. Her stay in India not only ensured safety but also allowed building connections that would later prove instrumental in her political career.

Hasina said first two-three years of exile were "difficult" especially for two children - son daughter who were toddlers then. Children would cry request taken grandparents especially maternal uncle."They remembered my younger brother [Sheikh Russell] mostly," Sheikh Hasina recounted interview.

In Delhi Hasina first lived at 56 Ring Road Lajpat Nagar-3 then shifted house Lutyens Delhi's Pandara Road. Hasina still remembers those days remains thankful India Gandhi family. She mostly meets members Gandhi family whenever she is India.

It was after six years on May 17 1981 that Hasina returned Bangladesh where elected absentia General Secretary Awami League. Her return marked beginning long arduous battle against military regimes taken hold country.

Despite facing numerous challenges including imprisonment corruption charges. Hasina persevered eventually rose power 1996 becoming Prime Minister Bangladesh first time. Fast-forward 2024 Sheikh finds herself once again during difficult moment life.