The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has urged national unity in the face of what he described as a coordinated “campaign” by “major countries” to undermine the legitimacy of the coup that brought his administration to power.
Speaking to representatives of political parties on Wednesday, Yunus stopped short of naming any specific country but specifically addressed rising tensions with India.
Without naming India directly, Yunus referred to “big countries” allegedly involved in spreading misinformation about the new government.
“A lot of people don’t like our freedom, the (new) freedom, desperate attempts are being made to disrupt it,” Yunus told leaders representing several political parties, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the left-wing. groups
During the meeting, Yunus sought the input of political leaders on three critical issues: the alleged propaganda against Bangladesh in India and other parts of the world, the attack on the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala and alleged atrocities against minorities within the country.
Yunus criticized what he described as attempts to portray the July–August uprising, which led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister, as a destabilizing event. “Quarters who did not like the uprising are trying to portray it as something dangerous both domestically and internationally,” he said.
In comments captured in video footage released by his office, Yunus called for collective action to counter the narrative. “We have to tell the whole world that we are one. We have achieved this together. This has now become an issue of our existence,” he said.
The interim leader’s remarks came against a backdrop of strained relations with India, which have been exacerbated by allegations of violence against minorities and the recent attack on the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala.
In first public address, Hasina accused Yunus of ‘genocide’, atrocities on minorities
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused the country’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus of failing to protect minority communities and perpetrating what she described as “genocide”.
In her first public address since resigning in August amid widespread anti-government protests, Hasina, speaking virtually at an event in New York, accused targeted attacks on religious minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.
Speaking at an event to mark Bangladesh’s Victory Day, the Awami League leader highlighted the deteriorating plight of minorities under the current regime. “What is this persecution of minorities for? Why are they being brutally attacked?” she questioned.
She also claimed that there was a conspiracy to kill her and her sister Sheikh Rehana, mirroring the tragic fate of their father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1975.
Referring to her ouster on August 5 and the violent storming of her official residence, Gana Bhavan, Hasina said, “Armed protesters were directed towards Gana Bhavan. Had the security personnel opened fire, many lives would have been lost. I was forced to leave, and I told them not to fire at all.
Hasina, speaking in Bengali, said Yunus and other leaders of the interim government were planning violence against minorities. “Today, I am being accused of genocide. In fact, Yunus is complicit in the genocide in a carefully designed manner. Hindus, Buddhists, Christians – none were spared. Eleven churches have been demolished, temples and Buddhist temples demolished. An ISKCON leader was arrested when Hindus protested.
She further alleged that her decision to leave Bangladesh in August was to reduce violence but lamented that attacks on minorities had intensified.
During the event, Hasina also accused of plotting her and her sister’s murder. “When people were dying indiscriminately, I decided I should leave,” she said, adding that the violence continued despite her resignation.
India has expressed concern over rising violence in Bangladesh and persecution of minorities, particularly Hindus.
