What Is The Current Situation Of Bangladesh? What Does Muhammad Yunus Have to Say About His Country?

It has been quite a while since the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, left the country. 

The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh had left the country on August 24th, 2024.  

Moreover, it has been more than a year since the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh was in India.  

However, Bangladesh has not yet held an election. Furthermore, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took over all responsibilities after students in Bangladesh overthrew the Sheikh Hasina government. The recent conversation between Muhammad Yunus and Mehdi Hassan will provide us with greater clarity at the moment. 

We at Big Jar News will get more clarity on the subject. We will break down the conversation part by part and examine the future of Democratic elections. 

Why Was The Hasina Government Overthrown? 

The turmoil began when a large number of students protested a reservation quota. Moreover, 30 % of the total number of government jobs were reserved for the family members of the freedom fighters.  

Holistically, around 56% of all government jobs were filled under the reservation quota. 

However, people should ensure they provide the most relevant information to those who were in the place so that they can get the best results with the platform’s help.  Thus, this sparked a massive uproar among ordinary citizens.  

Ordinary citizens, especially students, lead the protest. Moreover, the students were at the forefront of the entire agitation against the government.  

Moreover, this led the Sheikh Hasina government to start a military crackdown against the students. But the Military crackdown failed altogether.   

However, the UN claims that at least 1500 people lost their lives during the unrest. Thus, finally, Hasina had to flee her own country. She still stays in the neighboring country, India. 

How Did The Zeteo Podcast Go? What Was Discussed Between Muhammad Yunus And Mehdi Hasan? 

The show’s host, Mehdi Hasan, began by recalling the 2017 interview. Hassan remembers that back then, Yunus was just an ordinary citizen. However, now he runs a nation. The entire conversation started on a much lighter note.  

1. What Did Dr. Yunus Feel After The Hasina Government Was Toppled? 

However, Hassan then asked Yunus about the night when Hasina’s government got toppled. He also asked what he was feeling on that day. 

Dr Yunus replied, stating that he was “excited”. He was truly excited that it had finally happened. He said that, though he knew about the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, there were demonstrations there.  

However, to him, the sudden resignation looked like it happened out of the blue.  

2. What Is The Mood Of Bangladesh Since It Has Been Almost More Than A Year After The Revolution? 

Mehdi Hassan, the show’s host, asks Yunus about the country’s current mood. Moreover, he asks whether it is still optimism and excitement, or sorrow over the slow pace of change?  

Dr. Yunus replied, stating that there is optimism. However, he states that people’s nature is to complain.  

Thus, a considerable number of people wanted everything done then and there. However, the principal advisor to the interim government states that these things generally take time. 

Hence, Dr Yunus suggests that it is now like a paradoxical situation. Moreover, there is frustration alongside the excitement of something new happening.  

Thus, the emotions were an amalgamation of multiple things happening altogether. 

However, Dr Yunus explains that it needs to go in the right direction. He says there is frustration and optimism at the same time, but things are not moving in a negative direction. 

3. Was Dr. Yunus surprised By The Choice Of The Students? 

Mehdi Hassan asked if he was surprised as the students chose Dr Yunus as the new head of the government. Moreover, Mehdi also reminded us of several facts about Dr Yunus that were completely odd. This included facts such as that Dr. Yunus was in his 80s, was a non-politician, and, most importantly, was an economist. 

Moreover, all these factors made him an odd factor.  Thus, Muhammad Yunus stated that he was very surprised as he had never met them, and he had no conversations with them.  

The message first reached Muhammad Yunus’s colleagues at his organization. They informed him that the students want him to take over the responsibility. However, Dr Yunus asked his colleagues to ignore them. 

However, the students then directly tried to communicate with Dr Yunus. But Dr. Yunus kept denying them for the next three days. Finally, Dr. Yunus’s colleagues urged him not to ignore the call from his country, especially when it needed him most.   

The students as well as the Colleagues of De. MD Yunus reasoned with him while reminding him that the students have martyred themselves, there has been bloodshed and sacrifices. 

These things finally made Dr. Yunus take responsibility on his shoulders.  

4. Is The Awami League Banned In Bangladesh? What Is Yunus’s Response To The Criticism By Amartya Sen?

Amartya Sen, a fellow Nobel Laureate of Dr. Yunus from West Bengal, India, has criticized the decision of the current Bangladeshi authorities to ban the Awami League. Moreover, the Sen thinks that banning the Awami League would be like repeating the mistake the Awami League committed.  

Mehdi Hassan referred to this and asked Muhammad Yunus whether it was the right decision to ban the Awami League from participating in the elections in Bangladesh. 

Mohammed Yunus responded to this while stating that it is a “wrong criticism”. He says that they have not “banned” the Awami League. Mehdi Hassan reminded that they have suspended the registration of the Awami League. Muhammad Yunus states that the activities have been suspended temporarily. 

However, this will prevent the Awami League from participating in the Elections. Yunus also suggested that the activities have been banned. However, the Awami League still exists today as a party. 

Thus, the show’s host, Mehdi Hassan, questioned him, noting that they have several followers in Bangladesh. Therefore, it would be wrong to undermine their political mandate. 

What Is The Big Jar Take On The Turmoil In Bangladesh? 

We at Big Jar News think that whatever Amartya Sen said is not entirely wrong. Even though the Awami League has engaged in undemocratic governance, it still has several supporters in Bangladesh.  

Thus, banning the political activities of the Awami League will be like curtailing the right to self-determination of the massive population of Bangladeshis. 

Thus, banning the party moves Bangladesh away from a democratic form of Government. Moreover, this will eliminate the competition in Bangladesh. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Bangladesh.