Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist and Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has suggested that India will likely continue to host Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh who was ousted following student protests. Yunus also indicated that “some external forces” may be actively supporting her potential return to Bangladesh.
In a recent interview with Mehdi Hassan for Zeteo, Yunus discussed Hasina’s situation and the broader political landscape in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India since August of the previous year after departing Dhaka.
When questioned about the possibility of India extraditing Hasina to Bangladesh, Yunus expressed his view: “Given to themselves, if they are free to make a choice, probably they will keep her.” He added that this stance could change if legal obligations arise that India cannot circumvent.
External forces backing Hasina’s return
Yunus also commented on India’s perceived interest in Hasina’s situation, stating that India has consistently supported her. He suggested that those aligned with her are anticipating her comeback to Bangladesh as a triumphant leader.
Referencing a report by The New York Times, which detailed Hasina’s virtual meetings with her party leaders from the Awami League, Mehdi Hassan inquired if Yunus was concerned about India’s potential involvement in reinstating her.
Yunus acknowledged this possibility, stating, “there is a possibility that ‘some external forces’ will support her to come back to Bangladesh,” and admitted, “he is always worried about that.”
Yunus’s conversation with PM Modi
Yunus also disclosed that he had spoken with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding Hasina’s return. Yunus mentioned that he informed Modi that he would not dictate his actions concerning Hasina, but he did request that Modi ensure Hasina refrains from making statements about the Bangladeshi populace or its governance.
According to Yunus, Prime Minister Modi responded by saying that controlling social media content is beyond his capabilities.
Sheikh Hasina, who left Bangladesh a year ago, has consistently asserted that she did not resign from her position. She has encouraged her party members in the Awami League to persist in their efforts within the country. She has been living in India since her departure.
Denial of anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh
Furthermore, Muhammad Yunus addressed reports concerning violence against the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh. He characterized these reports as “fake news,” humorously referring to it as an “India’s speciality.” When the interviewer cited reports of approximately 30,000 Hindus in Bangladesh protesting against alleged attacks on their community, Yunus suggested that while occasional disputes over property or family matters might occur, the widespread violence claims were exaggerated.