Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said there is currently no anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, alleging that false news is being spread from India.
He made the remarks in an interview with British-Bangladeshi journalist Mehdi Hasan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The interview was published Monday night on Mehdi’s media outlet, Zeteo.
During the interview, the chief adviser discussed the circumstances of assuming his role and shared reflections on his first year in office.
In response to a question, he said there is no anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh. “Now, one of the specialties of India is fake news,” he remarked.
Yunus admitted that he reluctantly agreed to take on the responsibility of chief adviser.
Asking whether he was surprised when student leaders urged him to step in after Sheikh Hasina fled the country, Mehdi pointed out that Yunus was an apolitical figure, an economist by profession, and over 80 years old. Why then, Mehdi asked, did students choose him?
“I was very surprised,” the chief adviser replied. “Because I did not know them. I had never met them or spoken to them. At first, my colleagues received this message. They said the students were trying to reach me, asking me to take responsibility.
“I told my colleagues to ignore this. There is no need to get involved in such discussions. Tell the students this cannot happen.”
“The next morning the student leaders contacted me directly because their attempts through my colleagues were not working. They called me and explained the whole matter. I said no, this cannot happen. The students should find someone else. This went on for three days,” he said.
“The negotiators told me the students have shed blood, and even children are being shot. They have made many sacrifices. They want me.”
Yunus said that after all these discussions, he finally agreed to take on the responsibility.
Reflecting on his first year as head of government, the chief adviser said, “There is both frustration and excitement – a mixed reaction. I am frustrated because people have many complaints and very high expectations.
“They want everything immediately. No one wants to wait until tomorrow. And when their demands are not met, they say I am not good enough.”
However, Yunus does not see this negatively. According to the chief adviser, it reflects the high aspirations people have of their government.
