Opinion | Time To Question Yunus’s Walk And Talk In 2025
Yunus behaves like a clown, donning the mask of a Nobel Laureate and human rights activist in front of the world, but carefully removes it to display his oppressive and authoritarian face
Last year, Bangladesh saw a massive student-led uprising between June and August, driven by multiple factors. The uprising led to the ousting of the government of Sheikh Hasina, with a new interim regime headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus taking over. Yunus promised to hold ‘free and fair elections’ after the ‘vital reforms’ in the constitution.
The new supreme leader of Bangladesh, who holds the title of Chief Advisor to escape accountability, has pitched himself as a role model for inclusive and democratic growth. Yunus is not merely old in age, but also experienced in good publicity and knowing what sells to the West and the world. His ability to speak in English and use words the world loves to hear is impressive. When meeting foreign counterparts, diplomats, and journalists, Yunus talks like a progressive leader determined to change the destiny of his nation.
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Several examples illustrate this. The Economist declared Bangladesh the ‘Country of the Year’ for 2024. In September 2024, US President Joe Biden publicly endorsed the Yunus regime. Sarah Cooke, the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, remarked that Yunus’s regime heralds “a peaceful transition to an inclusive, prosperous, and democratic future for Bangladesh." Similarly, Nardia Simpson, the Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, stated that “Australia welcomes his commitment to universal human rights and his vision for a democratic and inclusive future for all."
After nearly five months under the new regime, the reality could not be more different. Bangladeshi Hindus are facing widespread subjugation, oppression, discrimination, and persecution. Their homes are being burned, their temples attacked, and their idols vandalised. Their collective fate remains uncertain amidst the nationwide anarchy unleashed by fundamentalist elements, who are deliberately ignored by the Yunus regime. Bangladeshi Christians are also subjected to similar treatment.
A few months ago, Muhammad Yunus issued a veiled threat, suggesting he would resign if the attacks on Hindus did not cease. Despite this, he is not only shamelessly clinging to power but is also infiltrating the administration with fundamentalist and extremist elements, all while presenting himself as a champion of inclusivity and human rights on the global stage.
In December, the Yunus regime appointed Nasimul Gani as the Home Secretary. According to The Economic Times, Gani is one of the founding members of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s Bangladesh chapter, a pan-Islamist international organisation banned in many countries, including India, the UK, and Germany. Although the group remains officially banned in Bangladesh, reports by the BBC suggest that it has resumed its activities. Under the Hasina administration, a member of this group was arrested in Bangladesh for attempting to kill a Hindu teacher in Madaripur.
Just a few months before this appointment, Mahfuz Alam, Special Assistant to Muhammad Yunus, made threatening remarks towards India and Hindus on Facebook. He depicted the territories of Tripura, West Bengal, and Assam as part of Bangladesh while calling for “new geography and settlement" in these areas. This statement represents a direct threat to India’s sovereignty and hints at demographic changes through the persecution of Hindus. Alam is not merely a fringe figure; he also serves as a state adviser to Bangladesh’s current regime. However, recognising the potential backlash his government could face, he quietly deleted the post. But what does this reveal about his mindset?
Those who cheered the protests now have a moral responsibility to question the motives of Muhammad Yunus. He behaves like a clown, donning the mask of a Nobel Laureate and human rights activist in front of the world, but carefully removes this mask to display his oppressive and authoritarian face. As the New Year begins, I hope reason will prevail, and Yunus will be held accountable.
The writer is an independent columnist who writes on international relations, and socio-political affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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