Bangladesh's former PM Sheikh Hasina's son Joy takes US citizenship: Report

ANI May 15, 2025 370 views

Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy has officially become a US citizen, receiving his passport in Washington. An Awami League leader claims Joy needed the passport after Bangladesh's interim government revoked his travel documents. The development follows last year's ouster of Hasina and the recent ban on her political party. The citizenship shift highlights the ongoing political instability in Bangladesh.

"Joy needed a passport to travel outside the US or visit his mother." – Muhammad Ali Arafat
Dhaka, May 15: Bangladesh's former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, has reportedly acquired a United States passport. He took the US citizenship oath in Washington, DC and received his citizenship certificate on Saturday, Bangladesh Pratidin reported.

Key Points

1

Joy took US citizenship oath in Washington

2

AL leader cites revoked Bangladeshi passport as reason

3

Interim govt banned Awami League earlier this month

4

Hasina fled to India after 2023 uprising

"Sajeeb Wazed Joy took the oath of US citizenship at the US Citizenship Centre in Washington, DC and received his citizenship certificate on Saturday. After receiving the certificate, he also applied for a passport", the daily Bangladesh Pratidin reported.

"A total of 22 individuals from various countries participated in the oath-taking ceremony. Among them, three were Bangladeshi origin, including Joy. He brought a lawyer with him. Among the three Bangladeshis, Joy was the second, who has taken the oath", it added.

Muhammad Ali Arafat, an Awami League leader and former State Minister for Information, said, "Since Sajeeb Wazed Joy's Bangladeshi passport, which he used to travel with, was illegally revoked by Yunus's illegitimate government. Under this circumstance, he had to obtain a US passport".

Arafat said that a green card does not allow a person to travel outside the US, and Sajeeb Wazed Joy needed a passport to travel outside the US.

"A green card does not allow to travel outside the US. Joy needed a passport to travel outside the US or visit his mother. In the current situation, he had to get a US passport", Arafat said.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in a student-led uprising in August last year. Hasina fled to India an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed.

Earlier on May 10, the Bangladesh interim government banned the Awami League, the oldest political party in the country. The press release said that the decision was made to safeguard national security and sovereignty.

"The Advisory Council meeting discussed the need to protect the country's security and sovereignty, the security of the leaders and activists of the July Movement, and the protection of the plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal until the trial of the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders is completed A decision has been taken to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act," the statement said.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This shows how political instability affects even the families of leaders. While I understand Joy's need for travel documents, it's ironic that the son of Bangladesh's former PM has to take foreign citizenship. Hope Bangladesh finds stability soon - our neighbor's peace matters to India too. 🇮🇳🤝🇧🇩
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Priya M.
The timing is suspicious no? Right after Awami League's ban? Feels like political families keep foreign citizenship as backup plans while ordinary citizens suffer. We've seen similar cases in India too. Leaders should show more commitment to their own countries!
A
Arjun S.
As an Indian, I'm concerned about growing instability in Bangladesh. When our neighbors face political crises, it affects regional security and migration patterns. Hope the situation stabilizes - we share deep cultural ties with Bangladesh that go beyond politics. 🙏
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Sunita R.
The explanation about revoked passport sounds like justification. Many NRI Indians manage with OCI cards without taking foreign citizenship. Political families should lead by example in patriotism. That said, India should offer humanitarian support to Sheikh Hasina if needed - she's been a friend to India.
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Vikram J.
Interesting development! This could complicate future political scenarios in Bangladesh. From India's perspective, we need stable leadership in Dhaka that continues our good bilateral relations. The ban on Awami League seems extreme though - democracy should prevail.
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Neha P.
The whole situation is sad. Bangladesh has made such progress in recent years. Now seeing political turmoil and leaders' families seeking foreign citizenship... reminds me of how Sri Lanka collapsed. Hope they find peaceful solutions soon. South Asia needs stability!

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Tags:
Sheikh Hasina Sajeeb Wazed Joy Bangladesh politics US citizenship Awami League