Muhammad Yunus Addresses Bangladesh Coup Rumors Amidst Political Tensions

Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, dismissed coup rumors as a ‘festival of rumours’ driven by opposing forces ahead of the July election. He emphasized the importance of unity and awareness against misinformation while seeking UN support to address the situation. Yunus also commemorated the sacrifices from the 1971 Liberation War, denouncing attempts to rewrite history.

On March 26, 2024, during a nationwide televised address, Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, dismissed ongoing coup rumors, describing them as a “festival of rumours” initiated by “the defeated force,” which likely refers to the regime of deposed premier Sheikh Hasina. Notably, this year’s National Day will occur without a military parade in the capital, with district-level events continuing as usual. Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry, Nasimul Ghani, has indicated that the nation is operating in a wartime mode.

Yunus urged the citizens to unite against these rumors and increase their awareness as the date for the upcoming election approaches. He expressed concern about the potential increase in the severity of the rumors, emphasizing their strategic objective to disrupt the anticipated July uprising. He urged the public to scrutinize the origins of any misinformation, warning that many individuals are financially supporting these campaigns to undermine their unity.

In his discourse, Yunus noted, “Our overall unity is severely irritating them. They want to break the unity.” He did not provide specific examples of the rumors but pointed out that both domestic and foreign elements are leveraging social media to destabilize the government. Yunus has sought assistance from the United Nations to combat the spread of misinformation, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently visiting Bangladesh to pledge support.

The administration led by Yunus took shape after the August 5, 2024, mass protests that ousted Hasina. Despite his Nobel Peace Prize-winning background in microfinance, Yunus faces contentious challenges, with various political factions alleging a resurgence of ultraright and Islamist influences within the political landscape.

Several political leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, have voiced concerns about attempts to rewrite the historical narrative of the 1971 Liberation War. Alamgir alluded to efforts aimed at diminishing the significance of this pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s history. Yunus, attuning to this backdrop, honored the memories of those who sacrificed their lives during the war, recalling the brutal events of March 25, 1971, which served as a catalyst for Bangladesh’s independence after a nine-month conflict.

This speech was a pivotal reaffirmation of Yunus’ commitment to preserving the legacy of the Liberation War amidst contemporary political tensions and rumor-driven discord.

In summary, Muhammad Yunus addressed the rampant coup rumors in Bangladesh, attributing them to opposing forces and urging national unity. His remarks highlighted the absence of a military parade this year, signaling a wartime atmosphere. Yunus called on citizens to combat misinformation and sought international cooperation from the United Nations to address these challenges while honoring the historical sacrifices made during the Liberation War.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com