Sheikh Hasina's London Travel Plans Uncertain as UK Denies Immunity Clearance

Uncertainties loom large over Sheikh Hasina’s London plan after UK, reportedly, hasn’t issued her clearance for immunity, often given to diplomats and whistleblowers. The Former Bangladesh Prime Minister, who fled the country and landed in India, will continue to be at a safe place in New Delhi, as per Press Trust of India. United Kingdom has refused to grant her asylum on grounds that they will not provide any legal protection in case there happens any possible investigation into the recent student unrest in Bangladesh, mired in bloodshed, leading to deaths of more than 300 people. David Lammy, British Foreign Secretary has urged for a comprehensive UN-led inquiry into the violence that rocked Bangladesh, asserting that the people deserve justice thorough and independent investigation.

The news agency reported that she was to travel to London after a brief stay at New Delhi but her travel plans has hit a snag. Hasina had taken a military chopper to an airbase as protesters stormed her official residence on Monday. The former PM flew into the Hindon airbase in Uttar Pradesh on board of a C-130 military transport aircraft belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force.

The United Kingdom has reffered to the British immigration rules that do not allow individuals to travel to that country to seek asylum or temporary refuge and also stated that individuals seeking asylum must do so in the first safe country they reach. “The UK has a proud record of providing protection for people who need it. However, there is no provision for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach - that is the fastest route to safety”, said a UK Home Office spokesperson to NDTV. 

According to reports, a formal asylum request is being processed by the British Authorities. Hasina is being accompanied by her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, who is a UK citizen. Her niece Tulip Siddiq, is a British Labour Parliamentarian which could be useful to claim asylum in that country. The senior politician also has family members in Finland and may be contemplating a move to the Northern European country.

The National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met the former PM of Bangladesh on arrival in India. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told an all party meeting on Tuesday that New Delhi has assured Sheikh Hasina of help. The External Affairs Minister told the politicians that Hasina was in state of shock after being forced to leave her country and the Government of India has given her time before discussing her next course of action and plans. 

"On 5th August, demonstrators converged in Dhaka despite the curfew. Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of the security establishment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina decided to resign. At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from Bangladesh authorities. She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi," said the External Affairs Minister addressing the Parliament on Tuesday. "We are also monitoring the situation about the status of minorities. There are reports of initiatives by various groups and organisations to ensure their protection and well-being. Naturally, we will remain deeply concerned till law and order is restored", he added. 

On Monday, Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and feld the country along with her sister in a military aircraft amidst widespread protests. The former Bangladeshi Prime Minister landed in an IAF base in Uttar Pradesh. Since then, she has been put up at an unspecified location by the Indian authorities. The ongoing protests in Bangladesh have over 200 lives and injured several others.