New York, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : Muhammad Yunus, the former chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, faced a hostile reception at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on October 12. A group of Bangladeshi migrants confronted him, labeling him a “terrorist” and accusing him of orchestrating the deaths of thousands in Bangladesh and dismantling democracy.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, one protester can be heard shouting, “You are a terrorist; why are you here? You have destroyed democracy in my country!” Another individual pointed fingers at Yunus, holding him responsible for the deaths of many, declaring, “You are a terrorist, and you have killed thousands in Bangladesh.”
Footage captured the scene as Yunus was wheeled out of the airport, with protesters hurling accusations at him. Some claimed he was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Bangladeshi police officers, while others chanted “Go back!” directed at the former advisor.
According to the Bangladeshi newspaper ‘Daily Sun,’ Yunus arrived in New York on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. Upon reaching Terminal 8, he was met by a group of demonstrators.
This confrontation comes amid ongoing criticism of Yunus’s 18-month tenure as the head of the interim government, which has been marred by allegations of political vengeance, arbitrary arrests, and increased attacks on minorities. Critics have also pointed to the long detention of lawyers, politicians, journalists, academics, and political activists during this period.
Recent reports from ‘Daily Sun’ have raised concerns about the lack of public records regarding the number of individuals arrested, formally charged, or prosecuted during Yunus’s administration. The report states, “One of the main promises of the interim government was to implement extensive reforms in government institutions. Instead, critics argue that the influence of unelected civil society members, many of whom reportedly held foreign citizenship, has increased, creating an unaccountable ‘kitchen cabinet’ and other interest groups.”
Another significant criticism of the interim administration has been the alleged politicization of government institutions. Critics have noted that political instability during this period allowed groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) to extend their influence within certain segments of the bureaucracy and other government bodies. Rather than seeing reforms, this period has been characterized by increases in “patronage, self-praise, and corruption,” according to these critics.
Leave a Comment