Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Awami League leader and grandson of Bangabandhu, has sharply criticised the ongoing elections in Bangladesh, calling them a complete farce.
In an interview with India Today on Wednesday evening, he expressed deep concerns over the suppression of progressive parties, the undue advantage given to Islamist groups, and the potential for rising extremism that could spill beyond Bangladesh’s borders.
He accused the interim government under Muhammad Yunus of enabling terrorists and fostering an environment where militants operate unchecked. As polls open today amid widespread scepticism from the Bangladeshi diaspora, particularly in the US, his remarks highlight fears of a rigged process that could entrench radical elements in power.
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Sajeeb Wazed dismissed the elections as entirely illegitimate, pointing to systemic biases that favour certain parties while sidelining others. He noted that the Awami League, Bangladesh’s oldest and largest political party—which led the nation’s independence movement—has been officially banned from operating. Historically, the Awami League has garnered 30-40% of the vote, reflecting its deep-rooted support among the populace due to its legacy.
He stated how the Awami League members were facing persecution. Many of its leaders are imprisoned, their offices and homes have been torched, and they have been barred from campaigning, holding public meetings, or engaging in any political activities.
This, Sajeeb Wazed argued, creates a one-sided contest where the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is permitted to participate freely, while Islamist parties like Jamaat-e-Islami—traditionally securing only 5-10% of the vote—are given an “open field” to dominate. As a result, these groups could secure a disproportionately large number of parliamentary seats, far exceeding what they would achieve in a fair election.
When questioned about the potential dangers of empowering Islamist parties given their historical record, he voiced strong apprehensions. He warned that the elections could set a “dangerous precedent” not only for Bangladesh but also for the West, potentially fueling extremism that traces its roots back to the country. Islamist groups, he said, have a track record of promoting radical ideologies, and their increased influence in government could exacerbate internal instability and export threats abroad.
Sajeeb Wazed emphasised that the Bangladeshi community in the US, among others, is particularly dissatisfied with the current trajectory. He suggested that the unchecked rise of these elements could lead to broader regional and global security challenges, drawing parallels to how extremist networks operate across borders. This concern is amplified by the diaspora’s reports of unease, as many fear the erosion of secular values in Bangladesh could inspire similar movements elsewhere.
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He traced the current crisis back to the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, whom he accused of being installed with Islamist support. He described the so-called “revolution” or student protests as initially genuine but hijacked by armed Islamist factions. When these groups sensed vulnerability, they intervened aggressively, attacking police and causing fatalities, ultimately paving the way for Yunus’ regime.
According to Sajeeb Wazed, the Yunus administration is “propped up by Jamaat,” referring to Jamaat-e-Islami. This alliance, he claimed, has allowed radical elements to gain unprecedented leverage, setting the stage for the skewed elections. The regime’s policies, he argued, reflect this backing, prioritising Islamist interests over national stability and progressive governance.
One of the most alarming points in his interview was his detailing of the Yunus regime’s early actions, which he said have directly emboldened terrorists. Among the first moves was the release of all convicted terrorists imprisoned during the previous Awami League government’s 17-year tenure. These individuals included perpetrators of high-profile attacks, such as the murderers of secular bloggers who were targeted in a series of killings, the assassins of a US Embassy local staff member, and the militants behind the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack—the deadliest terrorist incident targeting foreigners in Bangladesh.
He highlighted that under this regime, known operatives from Al-Qaeda in Asia have been operating freely. Groups like Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI) have held public rallies without interference, and commanders from Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) have visited Bangladesh to address events openly. He asserted that “terrorists have a free rein in Bangladesh now,” and this unchecked environment will persist if Jamaat-e-Islami gains formal power through the elections.
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