Dr. Dilip Nath
Introduction
This article critically analyses Dr. Yunus’s first 90 days using contemporary data from independent agencies. It addresses corruption charges against him, the student quota movement, and the rise of Islamic hardliners in Bangladeshi politics. During this period, Bangladesh has faced various challenges including minority insecurity, the influence of the Afghan model, and an ailing economy, adversely affecting its international image.
Background
Since the July 2024 student movement, Bangladesh has experienced significant turmoil and political instability. This movement reshaped the nation’s dynamics, leading to Sheikh Hasina’s government being overtaken. Dr Muhammad Yunus has been leading an interim government since August 8. Known as the “banker of the poor” for founding Grameen Bank, Dr Yunus revolutionized the microcredit system, alleviating poverty and transforming lives in Bangladesh. He received the Nobel Prize in 2006 for his work. Microcrediting introduced a debt-free economy, yielding positive economic outcomes, especially in the garment industry, which has become a key source of foreign currency.
Corruption Charges Against Dr Yunus.
Despite his contributions to microcredit, Dr. Yunus has faced multiple corruption charges. In 2010, he was accused of mismanaging banking operations and graft. However, after becoming a leader on August 8, all charges were dropped. The Superior Court acquitted him and 13 colleagues in the grafting case (Arun Devnath, 2024). Since taking office, many superior judges have been removed or transferred, allowing Dr. Yunus to appoint his allies to key positions. This undermines meritocracy and could negatively impact Bangladesh’s global image. The current regime has ignored these serious charges, leading to Dr. Yunus’s installation as the sole leader.
Student Quota Movement as Pre-Planned Tool to Oust Sheikh Hasina
The student quota movement aimed to abolish the 2018 quota by the Bangladeshi government that allocated 56% to families of freedom fighters. Dr. Yunus, who was in exile due to corruption charges, took advantage of this situation to rally students against Sheikh Hasina’s government. He and his colleagues funded demonstrations across Bangladesh, supporting the student movement to oppose the government.
Islamic Hardliners Supporting Dr Yunus.
In his first ninety-day Dr Yunus has supported Islamic hardliner groups like Hizbat Tahrir and Jamat-e-Islami. Many prominent leaders of these banned organisation has been released and all of mutiny charges against them has been removed. In addition, political gatherings and electoral rights has also been given to these banned organizations since taking over of government by Dr Yunus. This new regime has threatened very essence of secular identity. Tolerance and diversity has been very expressive in Bangladeshi society since past decade. However, Dr Yunus led government has threatened secular principles of this nation. Hardliner groups like Hizbat Tahrir could risk peaceful Bangladeshi society. These groups draw inspiration from Afghan Taliban which has been proving as hellbent on women rights and basic human freedoms.
Bangladesh has been Heading Towards Afghanistan 2.0
The rise of radicalism in Bangladesh presents a significant threat to regional and global peace. The Afghan government, led by the Taliban, has explicitly welcomed the removal of charges against leaders of Jamat-e-Islami. The foundational principles of Jamat-e-Islami are rooted in radical ideologies. Additionally, groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir have been actively organizing rallies and street protests since the new government took power. Addressing these hardliner groups poses considerable challenges, as the government led by Dr. Yunus has provided them with impunity, acting more as passive observers rather than taking decisive action to curb their activities.
Attacks On Minorities
Minorities have experienced widespread attacks since the establishment of this interim setup. Hindus and Christians have faced significant discrimination based on their religion and beliefs. Numerous properties have been set on fire, and houses have been vandalized by certain Muslim hardliners. Additionally, it has been reported that Hizb ut-Tahrir and Jamaat-e-Islami have been coordinating these actions with the assistance of local authorities. There were over 250 incidents of racial and religious discrimination reported during the last two weeks of August (ET online, 2024). This surge in incidents appears to be largely due to the lack of accountability for the hardliners by the current regime. Dr. Yunus condemned these attacks to maintain his personal reputation, yet these events have resulted in unprecedented levels of discrimination against minorities. The attacks on minorities have been reported predominantly from Dhaka, Chittagong, Mirpur, and Barisal.
Garment Industry Downfall
The Bangladesh garment industry had been a leader in South Asia until the start of 2024. However, recent events in Bangladesh have significantly affected this industry. Many premium European brands have relied on the Bangladesh textile industry as a primary supply chain. Recent changes in Bangladesh have altered this trend. The Indian industry has been a strong competitor for Bangladesh, but political changes have impacted the Bangladeshi industry, leading to a loss of competitive advantage to India. It was estimated that Bangladesh exported $54 billion worth of garment products worldwide (The Economist, 2024). However, this figure has dropped significantly in the current fiscal year. The export volume of the Bangladesh garment industry has decreased by 3 percent compared to last year’s exports.
Inflation in Bangladesh
Inflation has been experiencing a significant surge since July 2024. Fuel and commodity prices have also been increasing at a rapid pace, and unemployment has become a critical issue for the Bangladeshi economy. In August 2024, inflation rose to a 13-year high of over 11 percent in Bangladesh (The China Daily, 2024). Food inflation soared to 14 percent, up from 10 percent in June 2024. This sharp rise in inflation has created substantial challenges for the people of Bangladesh. These figures highlight the potential inefficiencies of the current administration in managing the economy. The initial hundred days of the current regime in Bangladesh have presented considerable difficulties for both the economy and the public. Prior to the current government’s tenure, the exchange rate of the Bangladeshi taka was among the top performers in South Asia. However, following the protests in July, the Bangladeshi taka has shown a declining trend against the dollar.
Human Rights Violations
Bangladesh has experienced several human rights issues, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial trials, and honor killings. Media outlets have been cautioned against criticizing the current government. Several journalists have faced warnings and arrests due to their reporting on human rights issues by Bangladeshi authorities. There have also been claims of political victimization by the current regime against its opponents. The freedom of expression in Bangladesh has reportedly decreased since the government was taken over by the group led by Dr. Yunus. These human rights concerns have affected the international perception of Bangladesh’s secular identity. Additionally, there have been numerous reports of rape incidents within the country. Amnesty International has expressed significant concern regarding ongoing human rights issues in Bangladesh. It has noted a historic increase in crackdowns on political dissidents, urging the current administration to address these matters (Amnesty International, 2024).
On the Verge of Civil War
Support of radical and extremist groups by Bangladeshi government and uninterrupted staging of processions and rallies by radical groups like Jamat-e-Islami and Hizbat Tahrir could lead to social chaos and unrest. These groups backed by Dr Yunus groups has unleashed scores of attacks on non Muslim minorities in Bangladesh. Several incidents has been reported since August throughout the country. In addition, many leaders of these groups like Jamat-e-Islami has also been released by Dr Yunus government with special impunities. These radical groups has large support from Bangladeshi audience with lower literacy rate. These groups should be handled timely to avoid any civil war in this South Asian nation.
Conclusion
Dr. Yunus, a Nobel laureate and founder of Grameen Bank, has made significant contributions to the country. However, during the first 90 days of Dr. Yunus’s tenure in Bangladesh, there were concerns about the impact on the secular principles of the country. Reports indicated an increase in attacks against minorities and the imprisonment of political dissidents. Other reported human rights issues included enforced disappearances and extrajudicial trials. Additionally, the economy faced challenges, with inflation reaching a historic high in August 2024, marking the highest rate in 13 years.
References
Devnath, A, (2024, Aug 12). ‘Nobel Laureate Yunus Cleared in Graft Case After Becoming Bangladesh Leader’ World: Bangladesh. https://time.com/7010115/bangladesh-muhammad-yunus-graft-acquitted-protests/
ET online (2024, Aug 10). ‘Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus condems attack’ https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/bangladesh-interim-leader-muhammad-yunus-condemns-heinous-attacks-on-minorities-calls-on-youth-for-protection/articleshow/112429905.cms
The Economist (2024, Aug 12). ‘Can India’s garments industry benefit from Bangladesh’s turmoil?’ Asia: India vs Bangladesh. Asia: India vs Bangladesh. https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/09/12/can-indias-garments-industry-benefit-from-bangladeshs-turmoil
The China Daily (2024, Aug 13). ‘Bangladesh inflation soars to 13-year high of 11.66 pct in July’. Xinhua. https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202408/13/WS66baf91ba3104e74fddb9be3.html
The Amnesty International (2024). ‘Bangladesh must immediately end crackdown against protesters.’ https://www.amnesty.org/en/petition/bangladesh-must-immediately-end-crackdown-against-protesters/
