Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh when caretaker government announces elections, says son
Dhaka: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return to her country once the newly formed caretaker government sets a date for elections, according to her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Hasina fled to India on Monday after weeks of violent protests led to her resignation.
A caretaker government, headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, was sworn in on Thursday, with the responsibility of overseeing the upcoming elections. Speaking to the Times of India, Joy, who is based in the US, stated, "For the time being, she (Hasina) is in India. She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election."
The Awami League, Hasina's party, is not part of the interim government. Her resignation came in the wake of a student-led uprising and nationwide violence that resulted in approximately 300 deaths and thousands of injuries.
Currently, Hasina is taking refuge in a safe house in the New Delhi area. Indian media reports suggest that she may seek asylum in Britain, although the British Home Office has not commented on the matter.
India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed on Thursday that he had discussions with his British counterpart regarding Bangladesh but did not disclose further details.
Joy also mentioned that he would consider entering politics if necessary, adding, "I am sure the Awami League will take part in the election, and we might even win."
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Bhojshala case: Disputed structure built from remains of pre-existing temples, claims ASI
Indore (PTI): The ASI has told the Madhya Pradesh High Court that a massive structure dating back to the Paramara kings' rule existed at the disputed Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex, and the current structure was built from the remains of temples.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) made the claim on Tuesday based on its 98-day scientific survey and over 2,000-page report.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex is protected by the ASI.
During the hearing before Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi of the HC's Indore bench, Additional Solicitor General Sunil Kumar Jain, representing the ASI, presented a detailed account of the scientific survey conducted two years ago at the complex.
Referring to the ASI's survey report, he said, "Retrieved architectural remains, sculptural fragments, large slabs of inscriptions with literary texts, Nagakarnika inscriptions on pillars, etc, suggest that a large structure associated with literary and educational activities existed at the site. Based on scientific investigations and archaeological remains recovered during the investigations, this pre-existing structure can be dated to the Paramara period."
It can be said that the existing structure was made from the parts of earlier temples, based on scientific investigations, survey and archaeological excavations conducted, study and analysis of retrieved finds, study of architectural remains, sculptures, and inscriptions, art and sculptures, Jain said quoting the report.
Summarising the report, he also drew the court's attention to the fact that the archaeological study identifies that many architectural components, such as pillars and beams, were originally part of temple structures before being repurposed for a mosque.
"The evidence of this transition includes Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions that were damaged or hidden, alongside sculptures of deities and animals that were often mutilated or defaced," Jain contended.
The report also states that "all Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions are older than the Arabic and Persian inscriptions, indicating that users or engravers of the Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions occupied the place earlier".
In light of the Muslim side's earlier objections, the bench wanted to know why there were some discrepancies in the ASI's responses regarding the status of the disputed complex in the cases filed over the years.
The Additional Solicitor General argued that earlier studies of the complex involved only officials, while the current survey involved scientists and the use of advanced technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
The hearing in the Bhojshala case will continue on Wednesday.
The high court has been regularly hearing four petitions and one writ appeal regarding the religious nature of the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex since April 6.
