Bangladesh: Mohammad Yunus Denies Attacks on Hindus, Blames India for Spreading Fake News
In a recent interview, Mohammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government, has firmly denied allegations of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, which India had previously highlighted. Yunus expressed that the claims were entirely false and accused India of deliberately spreading misinformation to tarnish Bangladesh’s image on the global stage. His remarks have stirred significant attention amid ongoing international concern over minority rights in Bangladesh.
Denial of Anti-Hindu Violence
During the interview with the media channel GTO on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Yunus strongly stated that there is no anti-Hindu violence occurring in Bangladesh. He emphasized that reports of such attacks are baseless and misleading. According to Yunus, India is currently leveraging fake news as one of its most effective tools to manipulate global opinion about Bangladesh. His statements come at a time when international human rights organizations and foreign leaders have raised alarms over violence targeting Hindus and other minority communities within the country. For instance, last year, US President Donald Trump described the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh as “barbaric,” highlighting the international concern surrounding these incidents. Additionally, in November of the previous year, thousands of Hindus staged protests across Bangladesh, voicing their outrage against the interim government and demanding protection for their community.
Relief Following the Fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Government
In the same interview, Mohammad Yunus shared his personal reaction to the political upheaval in Bangladesh. He revealed that he felt immense relief and joy when Sheikh Hasina’s government fell following the uprising. Yunus admitted that he had never anticipated such a turn of events and was genuinely surprised when the protesters proposed his name for the role of Chief Advisor to the interim government. He noted that he had no prior connections with the movement leaders and had not personally known anyone involved, which made his appointment even more unexpected.
Accusations Against India for Defaming the Student Movement
Yunus also used the platform to accuse India of attempting to defame the student movement in Bangladesh. According to him, India has been spreading misleading information to support Sheikh Hasina’s government and undermine the credibility of the ongoing protests. He warned that foreign powers should refrain from interfering in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs and stressed that the internal political situation should be resolved independently without external influence. Yunus’s statements reflect his strong stance against what he perceives as India’s attempts to manipulate public perception and international opinion regarding Bangladesh’s internal matters.
Conclusion
Mohammad Yunus’s interview underscores the deep political tensions between Bangladesh and India regarding minority rights and governance. While international observers continue to express concern about violence against Hindus, Yunus remains firm in his denial, attributing the controversy to misinformation and foreign interference. His comments also highlight the complex interplay of domestic politics and international relations, as Bangladesh navigates both internal unrest and scrutiny from the global community.
