On August 18, 2024, Bangladesh’s interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, launched a forceful attack on deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of systematically dismantling the nation’s institutions to retain her grip on power. Yunus, an 84-year-old Nobel laureate, assumed the role of Chief Adviser of the interim government on August 8, just days after Hasina’s dramatic resignation and flight to India following mass student protests. The protests were driven by widespread anger over a controversial quota system in government jobs, which had sparked calls for broader political reforms.In a fiery denunciation of Bangladesh’s current political landscape, interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of systematically dismantling the country’s core institutions. Yunus, a Nobel laureate and prominent figure in Bangladeshi politics, claimed that under Hasina’s rule, key governmental and democratic institutions have been eroded, threatening the very fabric of the nation’s governance. Yunus’s sharp criticism comes amid growing concerns over political instability and accusations of authoritarianism within the Hasina government. He argued that the Prime Minister’s policies have crippled Bangladesh’s judiciary, bureaucracy, and electoral systems, leaving the country on the brink of institutional collapse. In a recent statement, Yunus expressed his deep concerns about the future of Bangladesh, alleging that the current administration is manipulating state institutions to maintain a stranglehold on power. He further accused Hasina of stifling dissent, undermining free press, and using the legal system as a tool to target political opponents. Yunus emphasized that these actions have gravely weakened Bangladesh’s democracy and are causing irreparable harm to the country’s institutional integrity. As the political situation in Bangladesh continues to deteriorate, Yunus called for immediate reforms and the restoration of democratic norms to safeguard the country’s future.Sheikh Hasina, now 76, had held the reins of Bangladesh’s government for over a decade and a half. However, according to Yunus, her time in power was marked by a descent into authoritarianism that undermined the country’s democratic foundation. In a statement released by his Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, Yunus did not mince words: “In their efforts to stay in power, Sheikh Hasina’s dictatorship destroyed every institution of the country. The judiciary was broken.
Yunus’s condemnation of Hasina’s rule extended beyond just the surface issues. He accused the former Prime Minister of eroding the independence of the judiciary, which he claimed had become a mere tool for political retribution. Opposition leaders and activists were frequently imprisoned under dubious charges, with courts allegedly acting as enforcers of the government’s will rather than arbiters of justice. This, Yunus argued, was a direct attack on the fundamental rights of the Bangladeshi people, stripping them of their ability to challenge authority and seek redress through legal channels. Moreover, Yunus highlighted what he called a systematic suppression of free speech under Hasina’s regime. Media outlets critical of the government were either silenced or severely restricted, with journalists facing threats of imprisonment or violence for reporting on state corruption and abuses. This suppression extended into the streets, where protests were met with force, and dissenting voices were quashed through arrests and intimidation. According to Yunus, this reign of fear and suppression left the country’s democratic institutions in tatters, rendering them unable to function as checks on executive power. In his new role as interim leader, Yunus promised to bring much-needed reforms to restore the country’s battered institutions. He stressed the importance of holding free, fair, and participatory elections, which he vowed would take place once his government had completed its mandate of implementing these vital reforms. For Yunus, these reforms are not just a political necessity but a moral imperative to heal the nation after years of division and authoritarian rule. Yunus’s tenure as interim leader comes at a time of great uncertainty for Bangladesh. The mass protests that led to Hasina’s downfall were symptomatic of deeper frustrations within the country, particularly among the younger generation. Many students saw the controversial quota system as emblematic of the broader issues of inequality and lack of opportunity that have plagued the country under Hasina’s leadership. These protests eventually swelled into a national movement, drawing in people from all walks of life and culminating in Hasina’s abrupt resignation. Now, Yunus faces the daunting task of not only stabilizing the political landscape but also addressing the root causes of the discontent that led to the upheaval. His government has pledged to review the controversial quota system that sparked the protests, along with other policies that critics argue have entrenched inequality in the country. The task will not be easy, as the interim government must navigate a political minefield while trying to ensure that the promised elections are seen as legitimate by both domestic and international observers. Despite the challenges, Yunus remains optimistic. He believes that through reform, dialogue, and transparency, Bangladesh can be brought back from the brink and set on a path toward true democratic governance. His critics, however, are skeptical. Some argue that the deep divisions within the country, exacerbated by years of authoritarian rule, cannot be easily mended by a transitional government. They fear that Yunus’s efforts, while well-intentioned, may be too little, too late, and that the country could slide further into chaos if the reforms fail to take root. As Yunus works to implement his vision for a more equitable and democratic Bangladesh, the eyes of the nation—and indeed the world—will be watching closely. His success or failure will likely have far-reaching implications not only for the future of Bangladesh but also for the broader region, where the struggle between democratic governance and authoritarianism continues to play out in various forms. For now, Yunus’s message is clear: the institutions of Bangladesh must be rebuilt, and the will of the people must be restored. Only then, he argues, can the country move forward into a new era of peace, prosperity, and true democracy.
