Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has urged members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh to view themselves as citizens first, rather than as a religious minority, in a call for greater inclusivity and national unity.
In an interview with US journalist Mehdi Hasan, Yunus said, “My message to them, when I meet community leaders, is don’t go back and say, ‘I’m a Hindu, so protect me.’ Always say, ‘I’m a citizen of this country. I’m entitled to all the protection the state is supposed to give me.’ Then you have broader coverage.”
Yunus emphasized that Hindus in Bangladesh should not feel isolated and should confidently claim their rights as equal citizens under the law.
⚡ Yunus Dismisses Reports of Attacks as ‘Fake News’
The interim leader dismissed reports of communal violence against Hindus, alleging that many such stories were “fake news” circulated by Indian media outlets. “One of the specialities of India right now is fake news — a barrage of fake news,” he said.
Yunus argued that most reported incidents were actually local land or neighborhood disputes, not communal conflicts. He rejected claims by international organizations that temples and Hindu homes were attacked following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
“The government is very alert because this is one thing India is always pushing… bringing pressure,” Yunus added.
However, when interviewer Mehdi Hasan cited documented incidents, including the arrest of a Hindu monk for hoisting a religious flag, Yunus maintained that these were exaggerated or politically motivated reports.
⚖️ Background and Ongoing Tensions
The controversy comes amid heightened tension between Dhaka and New Delhi following Hasina’s ouster and subsequent refuge in India. Yunus, who leads the interim administration, has been tasked with stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and restoring international confidence.
Nevertheless, his government faces mounting criticism from both domestic and diaspora groups, who accuse it of allowing a resurgence of Islamist factions previously curbed by Hasina. In November, around 30,000 Hindus marched in Dhaka demanding stronger protection and the release of detained community leaders, including monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Protests have also taken place abroad, including outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, where demonstrators accused Yunus of persecuting minorities and colluding with extremists.
💼 Economic Outlook and India Relations
Amid the political unrest, Yunus has promoted Bangladesh as a more competitive manufacturing hub compared to India, citing lower tariffs and cheaper production costs. “Soon, Indian industries may leave and come to us to manufacture because it’s so much cheaper,” he said.
The statement underscores Yunus’ broader goal of reviving Bangladesh’s struggling economy and positioning it as an alternative investment destination — even as tensions with India persist.
Originally published on newsworldstime.com.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
