Dhaka: Following the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina, an interim government led by Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus has governed Bangladesh for nearly three months. Yunus is currently facing allegations of harboring radical elements and withdrawing legal cases against them. Recently, three new individuals, who are believed to have radical ties, were inducted into Yunus’s interim government, sparking concerns. These appointments come at a time when the Hindu minority in Bangladesh faces increasing violence and persecution, further intensifying apprehensions about the government’s direction.
On Sunday, businessman SK Bashiruddin, filmmaker Mustafa Sarwar Faruqi, and Mahfuz Alam were sworn in as advisors. Mahfuz Alam, Yunus’s Special Assistant, has connections with Hizb ut-Tahrir, a radical group banned in several countries, including India. Alam’s association with Yunus has raised eyebrows, with both student organizations and leaders critical of Sheikh Hasina’s government expressing concern.
A stark indicator of Alam’s hardline stance was his immediate removal of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait from the presidential office. This act is perceived by many as a grave insult to the nation’s founding father and its Constitution. Critics are also pointing to the interim government’s apparent alignment with pro-Pakistan and radical elements. Holidays associated with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s legacy have reportedly been canceled, and attempts have been made to dismantle his memorial museum, intensifying fears among various sections of Bangladeshi society.
