‘Pakistani Yunus is turning Bangladesh into a Taliban-like country’: Expatriates protest outside UNGA over atrocities on Hindus

New Delhi: Bangladeshi expatriates protested outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday, September 26, against Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus. The protesters, calling Yunus a Pakistani, chanted slogans like “Yunus is Pakistani” and “Go back to Pakistan.”

‘Trying to turn Bangladesh into a Taliban-like country’

The protesters said Yunus is trying to turn Bangladesh into a “Taliban-like country.” They alleged that Yunus is working in collaboration with Islamist forces. The protesters accused Yunus of increasing atrocities against minorities, especially Hindus, since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down on August 5, 2024. They said that the human rights situation has deteriorated significantly since Yunus came to power, forcing many people to leave the country.

‘Hasina government was removed illegally’

A protester told ANI, “We are against the atrocities against Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and other minorities. We demand the release of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, who has been illegally imprisoned by Yunus.” Protesters say Sheikh Hasina’s government was removed illegally. Her government was democratic. Yunus seized power, and attacks on minorities increased, adding that many people in Yunus’s regime have been forced to leave the country.

Hindus targeted after August 2024 coup

The Sheikh Hasina government was overthrown on August 5, 2024, after a prolonged student movement in Bangladesh. Hasina was forced to flee the country. This worsened the situation in Bangladesh, and the police went underground overnight.

Minorities, especially Hindus, were the most targeted by unruly mobs. According to a report by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, 32 Hindus lost their lives in communal violence. Thirteen cases of rape and harassment of women were reported. Approximately 133 temples were attacked. These incidents occurred between August 4, 2024, and December 31, 2024.

‘We are on a journey of development’: Yunus

Meanwhile, Yunus delivered a speech on the fourth day of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, September 26. He said, “We are now on a journey of development.”

Reflecting on Bangladesh’s political transition, Yunus told delegates, “Last year, at this gathering, I spoke of a country that had undergone a popular uprising. I shared with you our aspirations for change. Today, I stand here to tell you how far we have come on that journey.”

In his address, Yunus also called for the revival of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and emphasised the need for international cooperation.

Problems between Bangladesh and India(BHARAT)

Yunus had said that there were problems between Bangladesh and India(BHARAT). He said at an event in New York on Thursday, September 25, that Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India(BHARAT) is complicating relations between the two countries because she is hosting those who created all these problems.

Yunus alleged that India(BHARAT) did not like the work of the student leaders. He said, “India(BHARAT) is spreading fake news against us. All kinds of propaganda are being spread as if this is an Islamic movement that has taken over Bangladesh. They say that I am also a Taliban.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bangladeshi expatriates protest outside the UNGA against Yunus over atrocities on Hindus.
• The protesters called Yunus a Pakistani and chanted slogans, “Go back to Pakistan.”
• The protesters said Yunus is trying to turn Bangladesh into a “Taliban-like country.”
• They alleged that Yunus is working in collaboration with Islamist forces.

The protesters accused Yunus of increasing atrocities against minorities, especially Hindus, since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down on August 5, 2024. They said that the human rights situation has deteriorated significantly since Yunus came to power, forcing many people to leave the country.