Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, has firmly rejected concerns that Bangladesh could become another Afghanistan in the absence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Muhammad Yunus, in an interview with news agency PTI, challenged the narrative that Bangladesh’s stability depends solely on Hasina’s leadership and called on India to move beyond this portrayal and work towards strengthening bilateral relations.
Muhammad Yunus criticized India’s depiction of recent attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh, describing them as “more political than communal.” He argued that India’s portrayal of these incidents is exaggerated, suggesting that the attacks, which involved vandalism of Hindu properties and temples, were a result of political unrest rather than religious discord. These incidents occurred amidst student-led violence following Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh on August 5.
The interim Chief Adviser emphasized that the attacks were a byproduct of the political turmoil and not evidence of widespread communal violence. Muhammad Yunus’s statements come at a time when India has expressed concern over the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. He urged India to reconsider its perspective, moving away from the narrative that frames Bangladesh as unstable without Hasina at the helm.
“The narrative is that everybody is Islamist, BNP is Islamist, and everyone else is Islamist and will make this country into Afghanistan. And Bangladesh is in safe hands with Sheikh Hasina only,” Muhammad Yunus said. He criticized India for being “captivated” by this viewpoint and reiterated that Bangladesh, like any other nation, should be seen as a neighbor with its own internal dynamics.
Muhammad Yunus also expressed a desire for improved relations between Bangladesh and India, highlighting the need for greater cooperation to address the current strain in ties. He suggested that both countries should focus on enhancing their relationship rather than dwelling on negative narratives.
Additionally, Yunus addressed the issue of Sheikh Hasina’s current status, noting that the interim government has requested that India keep Hasina silent until Bangladesh formally requests her extradition. He stated, “If India wants to keep her until the time Bangladesh wants her back, the condition would be that she has to keep quiet.”
These comments come amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently expressing hope that the situation in Bangladesh would stabilize and affirming India’s concern for the safety of minorities in the neighboring country.
