A recent survey conducted by an Indian magazine indicates that 50.2% of Indians believe former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina should leave India.
The survey, titled Mood of the Nation by India Today NE, gauged public opinion on India providing shelter to Hasina after she fled Bangladesh amid the July uprising.
Among the respondents, 21.1% feel that Hasina should be extradited to Bangladesh to improve India’s relations with the current government in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, 29.1% believe she should be asked to relocate to another country, rather than staying in India or returning to Bangladesh.
Support for her extradition is stronger in India’s northeastern states, which share borders with Bangladesh. In this region, 55% of respondents favour sending her back to Bangladesh.
Additionally, 16% of respondents from the eight northeastern states believe she should be moved to a third country to shield her from legal action while maintaining diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh.
On the other hand, 23% in the region think she should be allowed to remain in India due to her long-standing alliance with the country.
Nationally, 37.6% of respondents argue that Hasina was a steadfast ally of India and should be sheltered as a sign of loyalty.
Hasina fled to India with her sister Sheikh Rehana on August 5 amid protests led by students. Since then, she has remained in India while facing over 100 cases in Bangladesh, including those filed on charges of murder, mass killings, and crimes against humanity linked to the July uprising.
On December 23, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally requested the Indian government to facilitate Hasina’s return. However, India has yet to respond.
Public opinion remains divided on this issue.
The Mood of the Nation survey also found that over 33% believe New Delhi has not reacted strongly enough to alleged reports of violence against Hindus during the uprising.
The survey highlights that people in northeastern India are more inclined toward her extradition compared to the rest of the country.