Yunus’s advisors have gone into hiding: Some are abroad, some are ‘homeless’ due to fear of mobs

BD Digest Desk

Although more than three and a half months have passed since the departure of the interim government, its former advisers remain at the center of public discussion and controversy. On one hand, protests and effigy burnings targeting the former chief adviser and former health adviser have taken place in different parts of the country over the deaths of more than 600 children from measles. On the other hand, several former advisers have recently spoken to the media about the interim government’s decision-making process and an alleged “kitchen cabinet,” triggering fresh controversy.

Against this backdrop, most of the advisers who attracted public attention are still keeping a low profile. Some have left the country, while others have returned to their previous professions but continue to avoid public gatherings.

According to relevant sources, many former advisers continue to suffer from an intense fear of mob attacks. However, those who remained largely outside public controversy have gradually returned to normal life.

Calls for Corruption Investigations and Controversy Over Foreign Travel

Following the departure of the interim government, various quarters demanded investigations into alleged corruption involving its members.

BNP lawmaker and freedom fighter Fazlur Rahman recently claimed at an event in Kishoreganj that the interim government led by Dr. Yunus had destroyed four generations and that advisers under the age of 30 had laundered hundreds of crores of taka abroad.

In April, responding to questions from journalists, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman assured that corruption allegations against the interim government would be investigated.

Following those remarks, the foreign travel of former advisers became a fresh topic of discussion.

In particular, former Cultural Affairs Adviser Mustafa Sarwar Farooki’s trip to Australia with his wife, actress Tisha, generated widespread discussion and criticism on social media.

Dr. Yunus: At Hitler’s Bunker in Berlin

After leaving office, former Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus moved into his residence in Gulshan and focused on caring for his ailing wife. At the same time, he continued working on his “Three Zero” vision—zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions—as well as new social business initiatives.

On May 27, the day before Eid, he left Dhaka for Paris, France, accompanied by his long-time associate Lamia Morshed. He later attended various events in the Netherlands.

According to various sources, on May 31, Dr. Yunus and Lamia Morshed visited the Berlin Story Bunker Museum in Germany. They were reportedly seen standing in front of the bedroom associated with Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun.

Kitchen Cabinet Controversy: Admissions by Touhid and Ali Imam

Former Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain is currently in Dhaka.

In several recent interviews, he claimed that an informal seven-member “kitchen cabinet” operated outside the formal advisory council and that key government decisions were made there.

He stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had no involvement whatsoever in the controversial trade agreement signed with the United States just three days before the interim government’s departure.

He also said that during his tenure he wanted to resign at least three times because of what he described as unwelcome interference by other advisers in the affairs of his ministry.

Former Food and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder also confirmed in a media interview that this kitchen cabinet met regularly every Tuesday.

He is currently spending his time writing.

Health Adviser Effectively Confined to Home Due to Fear of Mob Attacks

Former Health Adviser Noorjahan Begum returned to her previous workplace, Grameen Bank, after leaving office. However, after reports of child deaths from measles emerged, she reportedly went into seclusion.

She is said to be living a largely confined life in her apartment in the capital and is completely avoiding both the public and the media. According to the report, even many close relatives have not been informed of her current address.

Fearing she could become a target of mob violence, she reportedly does not leave her residence and does not answer phone calls. She has also allegedly instructed colleagues not to share her address with anyone.

Farooki’s Australia Trip and Facebook Response

Former Cultural Affairs Adviser Mustafa Sarwar Farooki remained out of the public spotlight after leaving office.

Recently, he quietly traveled to Australia with his wife, actress Nusrat Imrose Tisha. Several public figures, including actress Aruna Biswas, criticized the trip on social media and suggested that Farooki might not return to Bangladesh.

Although Farooki regularly posts on Facebook, his prolonged silence regarding the trip fueled further speculation.

Finally, in a Facebook post yesterday, he wrote:

“Every good deed comes with a price to pay. Knowing that, I took the risk of joining the government. But I never imagined it would be this severe.”

However, he did not mention when he would return to Bangladesh or why he had traveled to Australia.

Each to Their Own Destination

Most former advisers are currently in Bangladesh and have returned to their previous professions.

Former Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has joined BRAC University as a faculty member and is also working as a consultant on banking sector reforms.

Former Power and Energy Adviser Faozul Kabir Khan has also begun teaching at the same university and has taken charge of its Center for Energy and Logistics.

Former Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has returned to the Department of Law at the University of Dhaka and, according to students, is now taking classes regularly.

Former Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan resumed her role as chief executive of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) the day after leaving office, although she has not yet been seen leading any new environmental field campaigns.

Former Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has returned to her NGO UBINIG and is publicly criticizing the trade agreement signed with the United States while calling for parliamentary debate on the issue.

Former Shipping and Labour Adviser Brig. Gen. (Retd.) M. Sakhawat Hossain is focusing on research and writing and has indicated that he is considering returning to university teaching.

Former Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud has begun working on two books from his residence on Park Road in Baridhara and spends his free time painting.

Former Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has returned to the Akij-Bashir Group, though he rarely appears in public or at ministry-related events and is reportedly focusing most of his time on Akij-Bashir Aviation.

Former Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan has returned to his former NGO, Odhikar, but has not been seen at any public programs.

Former Social Welfare Adviser Sharmeen S. Murshid visited the office of her organization, Brati, in Uttara yesterday after a long absence and spent the day in planning meetings with colleagues. Her office stated that she will now attend regularly.

Notably, former National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has become the foreign minister of the new government under the technocrat quota and recently returned to the country after being elected president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In addition, former Education Adviser C. R. Abbar, Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk-e-Azam, Religious Affairs Adviser A. F. M. Khalid Hossain, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Prof. Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma have become involved with various institutions across the country in their professional capacities.

The outcome of the interim government and the current picture of self-imposed isolation and uncertainty among many of its former advisers suggest that questions of accountability following the transfer of power remain unresolved.