The transitional government of Bangladesh is canceling all diplomatic personnel passports, including the passport former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used to flee to India after the student-led “revolution” on August 5, according to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs.
Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed on Wednesday that diplomatic passports, or “red passports,” issued to government officials, ministers, and members of parliament will be revoked.
Senior Secretary of the Security Services Division, Md Mashiur Rahman, stated that the Department of Immigration and Passports has been directed to implement the decision.
An official order will be issued soon, as former ministers and lawmakers are no longer in their positions, necessitating the cancellation of their diplomatic passports.
Once the passports are revoked, holders will be required to return them and apply for ordinary passports.
Those with criminal charges or arrests will be subjected to legal proceedings before obtaining regular travel documents.
The government has not disclosed the exact number of red passport holders affected by this decision.
The decision follows Hasina’s resignation and subsequent escape to India, which has left many wondering about her status.
It has also strained the already tense relations between Bangladesh and India, Anadolu Agency reported.
A memorandum of understanding between Bangladesh and India allows diplomatic passport holders from each country to stay in the other for 45 days without a visa. However, the Indian government has yet to comment officially on Hasina’s status.
Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain indicated that Bangladesh might consider requesting India to extradite Hasina, noting that multiple cases have been filed against her, including allegations of “murder” and “genocide.”
Hasina’s return to Bangladesh is now under legal and political scrutiny, and the situation remains uncertain.
The student-led protests that led to her resignation resulted in nearly 650 deaths, according to a UN report, further intensifying the political crisis in Bangladesh.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, 84, assumed office on August 8 to lead the transitional administration after Hasina’s departure.