'Sheikh Hasina Should Keep Quiet... Avoid Making Remarks Sitting In India': Muhammad Yunus

Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, expressed displeasure on Thursday over political statements made by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina while in India.

In a recent interview with PTI, Yunus criticised Hasina's remarks, calling them an "unfriendly gesture" and suggested that she should remain silent until Bangladesh formally requests her extradition.

Yunus stressed that Hasina's political involvement from India is problematic, saying, "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 added that the government in Dhaka would prefer if Hasina refrained from speaking publicly, emphasising that her remarks are creating discomfort both in Bangladesh and in India.

"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," he noted.

Yunus suggested that had Hasina remained quiet, her presence in India might have been forgotten: "But sitting in India, she is speaking and giving instructions. No one likes it. It is not good for us or for India."

Regarding India's relationship with Bangladesh, Yunus pointed out that India needs to move beyond its reliance on the narrative that frames Sheikh Hasina as a safeguard against Islamist forces.

"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," he explained.

He further urged India to view Bangladesh as an equal neighbor, not just through the lens of its internal politics: "India is captivated by this narrative. India has to come out of this narrative. Bangladesh, like any other nation, is another neighbour."

In discussing future ties between the two countries, Yunus acknowledged that there are calls for reviewing certain agreements, including the Adani electricity deal.

He commented, "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."

BNP has previously pledged to re-evaluate the "questionable" deal, which they claim is putting major financial strain on Bangladesh.

Yunus also dismissed concerns about alleged violence against minorities in Bangladesh, calling India's apprehensions "just an excuse."

He refuted claims of harm to the Hindu community and asserted that the issue is exaggerated.

"The issue of trying to portray the conditions of minorities in such a big way is just an excuse," Yunus said in response to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concern over the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Modi, in his Independence Day speech, had expressed hope for the situation to stabilise soon, mentioning that "1.4 billion Indians are concerned about the safety of Hindus and minorities in the neighboring country."

The political turmoil in Bangladesh escalated on August 5, when Sheikh Hasina fled to India following weeks of protests, which turned violent, resulting in the deaths of at least 300 people.

Initially sparked by student protests against a government employment quota system, the unrest grew into a larger anti-government movement fueled by accusations of corruption, economic mismanagement, and repression of dissent.

Rising inflation and economic hardship further intensified the public's frustration, echoing challenges faced by neighboring countries in the region.