Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, announced on Sunday that the interim government would seek the extradition of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following her government’s collapse amid a mass protest movement in August. Addressing the nation to mark 100 days of his interim government, Yunus affirmed ongoing efforts to ensure justice, security, and stability for all citizens, including religious minorities.
In a significant shift from his earlier stance, Yunus declared, “We will also ask India to send back fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina.” This comes after his remarks to the Financial Times last month, where he had stated that the government would not immediately pursue Hasina’s extradition. Hasina, 77, resigned and fled to India on August 5 after massive protests, particularly over a controversial quota system in government jobs, left her government isolated. Reports indicate she landed at Hindon Airbase near Delhi and has since been moved to an undisclosed location.
Yunus highlighted the scale of the protests, claiming approximately 1,500 deaths and 19,931 injuries, including students and workers, during the movement. He assured that his government is meticulously documenting each casualty and providing medical assistance to the injured.
Addressing concerns about violence against religious minorities, Yunus said efforts are underway to investigate such incidents, emphasizing that the government aims to ensure the safety of all citizens. “We have tried our best to prevent any community, including Hindus, from becoming victims of violence,” he stated, while dismissing claims of widespread religious persecution as exaggerated. The interim government successfully ensured peaceful celebrations of Durga Puja across 32,000 mandaps, underscoring its commitment to minority welfare.
Yunus accused political factions of attempting to destabilize the country by attributing a religious angle to isolated incidents of violence. He pledged to continue measures to maintain law and order with the support of all communities.
Looking ahead, Yunus said the government is focusing on electoral reforms and the formation of an Election Commission. “Once the reforms are complete, an election roadmap will be announced soon,” he stated, addressing public concerns about the timeline for elections.
Bangladesh, with Hindus making up about 8% of its 170 million population, remains in a tense transition as the interim government seeks to restore order and address the fallout from Hasina’s contentious tenure.
