Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has heaped praises on Dr Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, saying he is highly capable and a remarkable human being.
In an exclusive interview with the Press Trust of India at his Santiniketan home in West Bengal's Birbhum district, published on Sunday, Sen said Yunus was taking significant steps as head of the government.
The chief adviser had made strong statements about Bangladesh's secularism and democratic commitment, he added.
Speaking about reported attacks on Hindus and the vandalization of temples, he said it was an important issue because Bangladesh had historically taken pride in its treatment of minorities.
He noted that there had also been attacks on mosques in India. “These incidents, whether in Bangladesh or India, must stop."
"There is nothing easier than fuelling communalism by selectively amplifying certain incidents. This is how the Hindu-Muslim riots of the 1940s escalated, leading to bloodshed. We must reflect on our past and consider our future in that light. Selective publicity can be extremely dangerous," Sen warned.
He also highlighted Bangladesh’s major economic and social transformations, particularly in advancing women's rights, with contributions from both the government and non-governmental organizations like Brac and Grameen Bank, founded by Yunus.
He noted that Bangladeshi newspapers remained "relatively free,” with many flourishing despite taking strong anti-government stances.
Expressing hope about a fair general election, he told PTI: “I hope future elections will be more visibly free than many claim they have been. There is room for change. I am worried about Bangladesh, but I am not without hope.”
