Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has rejected allegations of communal persecution in Bangladesh, asserting that the country remains a beacon of religious harmony.
Speaking to journalist Mehdi Hasan of Zeteo on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Prof Yunus dismissed claims of anti-Hindu violence, saying: “There’s no anti-Hindu violence,” and criticized what he described as India’s “specialty” in spreading fake news.
His remarks come amid international scrutiny, including a protest by approximately 30,000 Hindus in Bangladesh last November and comments from US President Donald Trump, who labeled the country’s treatment of Hindus as “barbaric.”
Prof Yunus emphasized Bangladesh’s inclusive identity, saying: “This country belongs to all of us and is a safe abode for everyone, regardless of caste or religion.”
In a message marking Durga Puja, he called on citizens to unite beyond religious and caste divisions to continue the progress initiated by the July uprising, aiming to build a prosperous, corruption-free, and discrimination-free Bangladesh.
Durga Puja, the five-day festival celebrating the goddess Durga, began on Sunday with Mahasashthi and will conclude on Thursday with Vijaya Dashami.
Prof Yunus expressed hope for peaceful celebrations nationwide, underscoring the importance of cultural programs in fostering communal harmony.
“Bangladesh stands as a unique example of harmony among people of diverse religions and communities. We all identify as Bangladeshis,” he said, adding that the core teachings of all faiths—peace, compassion, and human welfare—must guide national unity.
During the interview, Mehdi Hasan also explored Prof Yunus’s unexpected rise to leadership following the ousting of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina by student-led protests.
“I was surprised,” Yunus said of the public’s decision to appoint him interim leader. “If you have sacrificed so much, I will change my mind,” he recalled telling demonstrators.
However, Yunus acknowledged the challenges since taking office.
Robbery rates have surged to a six-year high, and dozens of police officers have been killed or abandoned their posts in the aftermath of the transition.
The interview touched on several pressing issues, including the delay of national elections until February, the future of 1.3 million Rohingya refugees residing in Bangladesh, and the exclusion of Awami League from the political process.
Prof Yunus defended the interim government’s reform agenda and reiterated his commitment to restoring democratic integrity, communal harmony, and institutional accountability in Bangladesh.
