NEW DELHI: Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday expressed his displeasure with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s political remarks made from India.
In a recent interview with PTI, Yunus said that Hasina’s statements are an “unfriendly gesture” and that she must remain silent until Dhaka requests her extradition.
“If India wants to keep her until the time Bangladesh (government) wants her back, the condition would be that she has to keep quiet,” he said.
“No one is comfortable with her stance there in India because we want her back to try her. She is there in India and at times she is talking, which is problematic. Had she been quiet, we would have forgotten it; people would have also forgotten it as she would have been in her own world. But sitting in India, she is speaking and giving instructions. No one likes it. It is not good for us or for India. There is discomfort regarding it,” he added.
‘India must move beyond narrative …’
While stressing Bangladesh’s desire to keep strong ties with its neighbour, Yunus also advised India to refrain from framing everybody except Hasina as Islamist.
“The way forward is for India to come out of the narrative. The narrative is that everybody is Islamist, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is Islamist, and everyone else is Islamist and will make this country into Afghanistan. And Bangladesh is in safe hands with Sheikh Hasina at the helm only,” Yunus said.
“India is captivated by this narrative. India has to come out of this narrative. Bangladesh, like any other nation, is another neighbour,” he added.
Future ties with India
Speaking about future ties with India, the Nobel laureate said there are demands for a relook at certain treaties such as transit and the Adani electricity deal.
“Everybody is saying that it is needed. We will see what is on paper and, second, what is actually happening on the ground. I can’t answer it specifically. If there is any need to review, we will then raise questions about it,” he said.
Earlier, the BNP vowed to review and re-evaluate the “questionable” Adani electricity deal signed during the Awami League regime, as it is putting “tremendous pressure” on the people of Bangladesh
On attacks on Hindus
Yunus refuted alleged violence against minorities in Bangladesh and claimed that India’s concerns were ‘exaggerated’ .
“The issue of trying to portray the conditions of minorities in such a big way is just an excuse,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address expressed hope that the situation in violence-hit Bangladesh would return to normal soon and said that 1.4 billion Indians are concerned about the safety of Hindus and minorities in the neighbouring country.
On August 5, Bangladesh plunged into a political crisis after PM Sheikh Hasina suddenly fled to India after weeks of nationwide protests turned violent in which at least 300 people were killed.
The protests, initially ignited by students opposing a government employment quota system, rapidly evolved into widespread demonstrations against Hasina’s administration due to allegations of corruption, economic mismanagement, and harsh crackdown on dissent. The discontent among the population was exacerbated by rising inflation and economic challenges, similar to those faced by neighbouring countries.
