Highlights:
- Yunus rejects claims of communal violence under his administration.
- Modi allegedly told Yunus India wants to “keep” Sheikh Hasina.
- Interim government focusing on reform, trial, and elections, says Yunus.
- Tariff negotiations with the US seen as positive for Bangladesh’s industry.
- Yunus restores anti-Israel line in passports following public opposition.
Yunus Rejects Anti-Hindu Violence Claims
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, in an interview with Zeteo’s Mehdi Hasan during the UN General Assembly in New York, denied allegations of communal persecution under his interim government.
“One of the specialties of India right now is fake news,” Yunus told Mehdi Hasan. He added, “There’s no anti-Hindu violence.”
According to Zeteo, in November, around 30,000 Hindus protested against Yunus’s government. US President Donald Trump reportedly called Bangladesh’s treatment of Hindus “barbaric.”
“১৫ লক্ষ কাস্টমার একুইজিশনের গোপন কৌশল পেয়ে যাচ্ছেন আপনার এক ক্লিকেই ”
Conversation with Modi on Sheikh Hasina
Mehdi Hasan asked Yunus about his discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Yunus said:
“I have spoken to Modi [about sending her back]. He said two things. First, they said, they want to keep her. I said we can’t tell you what to do with her. But make sure she doesn’t talk about us. She doesn’t talk about Bangladeshi people. He said, the social media I cannot control.”
Yunus also added:
“They have been supporting her all along. They’re still hoping that she will come back to Bangladesh with full glory, returning as a victorious leader.”
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Why Bangladesh Elections Are Delayed
When asked why the country is taking 18 months to hold an election, Yunus explained that there are different demands in Bangladesh.
“While some want the election now, some want the interim government to stay for five more years,” he said. “Our interim government has three main duties — reform, trial, and election.”
He further clarified:
“Because if you just hold an election, same old stuff will happen again.”
Tariff Negotiation and Economic Opportunities
Yunus expressed satisfaction with tariff talks with the United States.
“Yes, 20% is still high but it’s not as high as we were worried about. India got much higher. So, I was even saying that probably very soon Indian industries will come and set up in Bangladesh because it’s so much cheaper here to produce and send. So this becomes an attractive place for production,” he said.
Restoring Passport Line on Israel
Yunus also addressed the Awami League government’s previous decision to remove a line in the passport stating Bangladesh does not recognise Israel.
“When they did it, entire Bangladesh was opposed to it. Nobody liked that. We have not recognised Israel and we don’t want to bring them back again into our passport. So first thing we did was to restore that because that’s the will of the people,” he said.
He also condemned the repeated attacks on Gaza.
Yunus on Interim Leadership
Yunus became interim leader last year after mass student protests forced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to step down.
“I was surprised,” Yunus said about the people’s choice. “If you have sacrificed so much, I will change my mind,” he recalled telling the protestors at that time.
Challenges During Interim Government
Despite some successes, Yunus acknowledged difficulties. Zeteo reported that robbery cases have reached their highest level in six years. Dozens of police officers were killed after Hasina’s departure, while others abandoned their posts.
Source: TBS
