Yunus to BBC: Sheikh Hasina’s Announcement of Return is Spreading Tension

Staff Reporter

Dr. Yunus, Chief Advisor of the interim government, has stated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s announcement of her desire to return to the country has created fresh tensions. He made these remarks in an interview with the BBC in London.

Yunus said, “If we only talk about her stay in India, Bangladeshis are not particularly concerned about that. But the problem lies in her statements. She is addressing the people of the country through social media. This is generating a lot of tension and hatred.”

He added, “We suddenly learned from the coup that the anger stemming from the killings subsided after Sheikh Hasina left on August 5. Now is the time to move forward. But it seems the Awami League does not consider this the end. They want to continue, and this has created tension across the country.”

In the interview, Yunus accused, “They (Awami League) do not want to look back at what they have done—killings, enforced disappearances, siphoning off huge amounts of money from the country, committing one atrocity after another. We want to address one issue after another. But she does not want to stop—’I want to return.'”

The interim government came to power through violence last August. Since then, international human rights organizations have accused the Awami League of staging mock trials and persecution under the guise of prosecuting crimes against humanity, corruption, and human rights violations. Against this backdrop, the decision to ban the Awami League’s activities and exclude them from elections has sparked intense debate at home and abroad.

Elections, Ban, and Inclusion Debate

On May 10, the interim government’s advisory council decided that all activities of the Awami League would remain banned under anti-terrorism laws until trials at the International Crimes Tribunal are completed. Subsequently, the government issued a gazette announcing the suspension of all activities of the party. On the same day, the Election Commission suspended the party’s registration.

BBC presenter Rajini Vaidyanathan asked whether the Awami League would be allowed to participate in the elections. In response, Yunus said the matter was for the Election Commission to decide but emphasized the people’s right to free voting.

When asked about the ban on the Awami League, Yunus said, “The UN Resident Representative in Dhaka recently clarified that ‘inclusive’ does not mean any single party but the participation of all people.” He added, “The party as a whole is not banned; its activities have been temporarily suspended. The Election Commission will decide whether they will be on the ballot.”

The BBC presenter asked, “Even after the fall of the Awami League, thousands of its supporters are being arrested in murder cases. Critics say the old repression continues. Are you doing the same?”

Yunus replied, “It would be shameful to say that. If you compare the interim government with the Awami League government, I would say you do not understand the reality of Bangladesh.”

Regarding Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India and efforts to bring her back, Yunus said, “The legal process has already begun. We are also trying to utilize international mechanisms. We do not have the power to forcibly bring her back.”

Rajini asked, “Are you disappointed that Modi is hosting her (Sheikh Hasina) in India?” Yunus responded, “We hope that with international cooperation, it will be possible to bring her back to the country.”