Why Nobel Laureate Yunus Has Failed To Establish Democracy In Bangladesh?

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

International observers, especially of south Asian countries, believed that Bangladesh will be back in track following the exit of Sheikh Hasina from power and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus heading the interim government as advisor. But, Bangladesh is still in the grip of turmoil and anti-India, anti-Hindu violence has become an everyday happening. The establishment of a liberal government in Bangladesh seems to be a far cry and Yunus has belied all the hopes for materializing the goal. 

Allegations are rife and critics also argue that Yunus is trying to cling to anti-India and anti-Hindu stance and allegedly hobnobbing with pro-Pakistani elements like Jamaat-e-Islami to stay in power. His attitude has become evident after he was on record threatening India with a war and indulging in India bashing whenever the opportunity comes. Ever since Yunus took over as the advisor to the interim government in Bangladesh, the one thing to which he has given topmost attention is his foreign jaunts. He has already visited ten countries in the nine months and it will not be surprising if he embarks on more foreign visits to garner support from Western nations to cling to power.The Awami League leders of Bangladesh have leveled serious charges against Yunus who has been enjoying Western connections and particularly with leaders of US Demoratic party. They are of the opinion that Yunus is consistently pursuing his links with Western leaders to protect him from corruption charges and subsequent investigations by governments in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Army Chief Wakrul Jamal has gone on record expressing his dissatisfaction over the functioning of the caretaker government. The Army Chief has asked the government to conduct general election at the earliest but Yunus is currently busy on foreign trips grossly undermining the pressing issues relating to social, economic and political spheres in the country. The military is believed to be upset over the caretaker government's decision to dole out the Martin Island in Bangladesh to US for serving its interest. The economy is in a shambles with high inflation rate, the growth down from five percent to 3.5 and employment sector in crisis. Observers in Bangladesh see Jamal's displeasure as a bad omen for the country, given its past record of military coups. Critics who have a fair knowledge of Bangladesh affairs maintained that given the ongoing street violence and unrest in country, it will not be surprising if there will be reemergence of the situation that occurred way back in 1970, when the student strike had laid the path to birth of a new nation. Previously Bangladesh was known as east Pakistan.

Given the state of affairs through which Bangladesh going presently and the attitude of interim government headed by Yunus, it will not be surprising if the general elections are postponed till the middle of 2026 and Bagladesh might go for elections in December 2025 as demanded by political parties as well as the military. Bangladesh's Awami League members have alleged that Yunus is shying away from taking action against anti-Hindu and anti-India factions by maintaining silence on Hindu baiting.This has encouraged attacks on Hindu minority in Bangladesh. Their houses were attacked,properties gutted and family member being lynched in public, but the interim government headed by Yunus is doing precious little to save them from the disaster. This is quite unbecoming of a person who is a Nobel laureate, intellectual and a global icon, maintaining silence on anti-India and anti-Hindu violence and hesitate to come forward to condemn the act.

Who Is Muhammad Yunus?

Muhammad Yunus, born in 1940, shot into limelight for his Grameen Bank concept of microcredit through which he introduced poverty alleviation programmes that benefited scrores of people living in Bangladesh in utter poverty. Yunus was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.The ruling Awami League has treated Yunus with suspicion as he harbours political ambitions and once tried to form a political party with military backing a year after he got the Nobel Prize.

The relationship between Yunus and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government was sour after the former's sacking as managing director of Grameen Bank in 2011. Although supporters of Yunus alleged that it was political vendetta, Bangladesh government denied accusation thoroughly. The Sheikh Hasina government even alleged that Yunus had prevailed upon the Western players including US and the World Bank to deny funding for some projects in the country. The government labeled Yunus as someone who is against the development of Bangladesh using his stature as a Nobel laureate. Although Yunus is acclaimed internationally for his microfinance and poverty alleviation programmes, his standing in Bangladesh has always remained fluid. He has been accused of undermining the interest of the country and encouraging foreign elements to play a role in Bangladesh affairs and distancing itself from India, its traditional friend.

Impact On Indo-Bangla Ties:

The Indian government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ties with Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh is always cordial as she has contained the Islamic extremism and cross-border terrorism against India. But, critics alleged that Yunus is following an ambiguous policy and allegedly not tring to contain anti-India and anti-Hindu stance by pro-Pakistani elements in Bangladesh. They argued that it is a known fact that although Yunus has little role in curating policies for Bangladesh, he is globally acclaimed as an intellectual and therefore seems to be in a position to influence the foreign actors. It has always been India's priority to have a good neighbourly relationship with Bangladesh and India would never want the formation of another Pakistan in the eastern sector that will be inimical to its interest. India is already fed up with Pakistan and has been praying the price in the form of terrorism since division in 1947. Whatever be the situation, the allegations that Yunus has a dubious personality, has created diplomatic discomfort for India.

The Indian leaders, especially the ruling clique, seem to be worried about the Nobel laureate's hobnobbing with pro-Pakistani parties in Bangladesh, and not buying the idea of the Yunus defenders that there were not enough inkling that he has an anti-India stance. His defenders argued that as Yunus is not holding public office, influencing state policy on different matters including communal or diplomatic is not tenable and for this reason, he should not be held accountable for which he is remotely concerned.

They argued that Yunus has promoted economic empowerment of many Hindus and minorities benefiting from Grameen Bank ’s microcredit programs for poverty alleviation. How a person can be termed as communal when he has dedicated his entire career for banishing poverty and hunger? they argued. His supporters further argued that Yunus has become an eyesore for his world wide acclaimation, intellectual standing and criticism of governance. India's foremost interest has always been to ensure stability in Bangladesh. Because, India has already acquired a sparring partner, Pakistan,to its misfortune, which is indulging in cross border terrorism by  killing hundreds of innocent people every year. And, it never wants Bangladesh to go in Pak way. The recent incident in Pehelgam in Kashmir was barbaric as Pak trained terrorists killed innocent people in broad daylight on the basis of religion.