Was Muhammad Yunus the wrong choice to bring stability to Bangladesh? – First post

Was Muhammad Yunus the wrong choice to lead Bangladesh?

Yunus was appointed head of the interim government in August after Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India following widespread protests against her government.

The 84-year-old economist-turned-politician and Nobel Prize winner took over at an uncertain time and was expected to be a calming influence.

It didn’t happen.

Let’s take a closer look at why Yunus was a bad choice to bring stability to Bangladesh.

Violence against minorities is increasing

According to News18since Tuesday evening, minorities, particularly Hindus, have been targeted across Bangladesh.

Mobs attacked homes and minorities with impunity while local government sat idly by.

Attacks on minorities and temples took place in Gopalganj, Maulvibazar, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Khulna and Khagrachhari – areas with the highest Hindu population.

According to the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), over 200 cases of violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh have been reported since August 5.

Religious places, especially temples, are common targets of these attacks.

The arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges has escalated unrest.

Das, who was arrested earlier this week, was denied bail by a Bangladeshi court.

The decision led to demonstrations in cities such as Dhaka and Chattogram, where protesters demanded his immediate release and the protection of minority communities.

According to Al Jazeera, India expressed “deep concern” over the development.

New Delhi said this came after “extremist elements in Bangladesh” attacked Hindus and places of worship, and said the attackers remained unpunished even as authorities pursued “a religious leader making legitimate demands during peaceful gatherings.”

“We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail of Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. The incident comes after repeated attacks by extremist elements on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minority homes and businesses, as well as theft, vandalism and desecration of deities and temples.”

“It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be brought against a religious leader making legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities peacefully protesting against the arrest of Shri Das,” the MEA said.

The worst may yet come

News18 he cited Indian intelligence agencies as saying that minorities are not only dangerous on the streets but could even end up in jail.

Sources say that Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh cadres are behind the attacks.

“In two separate incidents that took place in August, approximately 700 inmates managed to escape from prison. Many of them were JMB supporters or leaders. After the Sheikh left
Hasina from Bangladesh, these cadres and other troops started attacking Hindus and other minorities. “It is likely that not only on the streets, minorities, especially Hindus, may also be targeted, not only on the streets, in prisons,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity. News18.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has urged the Bangladeshi authorities to take decisive steps to ensure the safety of minorities.

Bangladesh says the threat to Hindus is being exaggerated and that it is working to resolve the problem.

Radical voices continue unabated

Yunus clearly surrounds himself with radical voices.

News18 reported that Yunus, in a bid to protect his political and economic interests, kept Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami members in his inner circle.

“His continued association with the Jamaat is due to their significant influence in Bangladesh,” the source said. “The Jamaat believes that only ISKCON can change the current political dynamics.”

Sources say Younis is under pressure to do so to ensure the proper functioning of Grameen Bank and its operations in rural Bangladesh.

The sources added that Jamaat-e-Islami’s strong presence in many rural areas may have led Yunus to believe that cooperation with it was essential to avoid a backlash.

Lack of clarity in polls

Yunus said he would hold the polls after what he said were “necessary reforms.” India times.

“Some reforms may be introduced during the run-up to the elections and therefore the polls may be delayed for several months,” Yunus said.

He added that “the election train has left the station.”

However, according to Bangladesh’s constitution, a new general election to elect a new government should have been held within 90 days after the dissolution of parliament. But that didn’t happen.

Worse still, Yunus did not provide a specific timeline for holding the elections.

“I promise that after completing the necessary and essential reforms, we will hold the long-awaited elections,” Yunus said, addressing the nation 100 days after taking office.

“The Election Commission will be established within a few days, after which it will be responsible for organizing the elections,” Yunus added.

“You will soon receive a detailed election plan,” Yunus promised.

“Until then, please be patient,” he said. “Our goal is to create an electoral system that will be a model for future generations. This will protect our nation from recurring political crises every year. For this purpose, I am asking you for the necessary time.”

However, in the interview, Yunus sang a different song Al Jazeera.

Although the exact time frame of the interim government’s term has not been determined, it should definitely be less than four years, but it could be less,” Yunus said.

Student protests are gaining strength

Student protests have broken out again after the death of a student of Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College (DMRC).

According to the Dhaka Tribune, students from 37 educational institutions joined the protests.

DMRC students claim that student Abhijit Hawlardard died last week due to medical negligence at DNMC.

They also accused the hospital of trying to cover up the incident and claimed they offered his family money.

On Sunday, DMRC students went on a rampage at the hospital.

They were joined by students from 34 other colleges including Ideal College, Dhaka City College, Donia College, Adamjee Cantonment College, Giasuddin Islamic Model College, Govt Tolaram College, Dhaka Imperial College, Shaikh Burhanuddin Post Graduate College, Government Science College, Lalbagh Govt Model School and College, Notre Dame College, Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College, Siddheswari College and Dr. Mahbubur Institute of Science and Rahman Mollah Technology. Most of the participants were high school students.

Kabi Nazrul Government College and Government Shahid Suhrawardy College in Old Dhaka, where final year examinations of the first year of bachelor’s studies were held, were also attacked.

The newspaper reported that more than 100 examinees from both universities were injured by brick fragments and stones.

Press freedom under threat

Daily Star, an influential daily, also sharply criticized Yunus’ government for failing to protect press freedom.

“In the current political climate, threats to the media appear to be intensifying, with coordinated campaigns aimed at stoking hostility towards media houses that have long been a pillar of independent journalism. This raises disturbing questions about the future of the press in Bangladesh,” it said.

The newspaper reported that the mob attacked the headquarters of Prothom Alo i Day Star.

With agency input