Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has urged members of the Hindu community to assert their rights as citizens first, rather than focusing on their status as a religious minority. His comments came during an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, where he also strongly refuted allegations of communal violence, labeling them as misinformation from India.
Message to the Hindu Community
Yunus stated that adopting a citizen-first identity is crucial for strengthening social unity and ensuring equal protection for all groups in Bangladesh.
“My message to them, when I meet community leaders, is don’t go back and say, ‘I’m a Hindu, so protect me.’ Always say, ‘I’m a citizen of this country. I’m entitled to all the protection the state is supposed to give me,’” Yunus said. “Then you have broader coverage.”
He added that Hindus in Bangladesh should not feel “isolated” and should claim their rights as full citizens, rather than identifying primarily through religion.
Rejection of Communal Violence Claims
During the interview, Yunus rejected international allegations of communal violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, attributing such reports to a campaign of misinformation.
“One of the specialities of India right now is fake news — a barrage of fake news,” he told Hasan.
Yunus claimed that many reported incidents of religious attacks were actually localized disputes over land or neighborhood matters. He also denied international media reports about attacks on temples and Hindu leaders following the removal of Sheikh Hasina’s government last year. He noted that the government is “very alert on that because this is one thing India is always pushing bringing pressure.”
When Hasan cited documented cases of mob violence and the arrest of a Hindu monk for hoisting a religious flag, Yunus dismissed these as part of a continued “misinformation campaign.”
Economic Outlook and Trade Advantages
The interview comes more than a year after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024. Yunus, now head of the interim government, has faced criticism over alleged persecution of minorities and the growing influence of Islamist groups.
Despite the domestic and international scrutiny, Yunus used the platform to promote Bangladesh’s economic position, suggesting the country offers trade advantages over its neighbor.
“India faces much higher US tariffs than Bangladesh,” he said. “Soon, Indian industries may leave and come to us to manufacture because it is so much cheaper.”
His remarks are timely, as Bangladesh is struggling to revive its slowing economy and attract foreign investment amid strained diplomatic relations with New Delhi following Hasina’s departure.
Source: Indian Express
