Muhammad Yunus assures India: 'Bangladesh won't become another Afghanistan'
PTC News Desk: Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, firmly dismissed claims that Bangladesh could descend into chaos like Afghanistan without Sheikh Hasina's leadership, urging India to abandon this narrative and focus on strengthening bilateral relations.
In an interview with PTI, Yunus emphasised that recent attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh were "more political than communal" and criticised India's portrayal of the incidents. He explained that these attacks, which included vandalism of businesses, properties, and Hindu temples, occurred during student-led violence following Hasina's departure from the country on August 5.
"These attacks are political in nature, not communal. India is amplifying these incidents in a significant way. We are not saying we are helpless; we are addressing the situation," Yunus clarified.
Appointed as Bangladesh's Chief Adviser after Hasina's ousting, Yunus reiterated that the issue of minority attacks has been "exaggerated" and is a result of political unrest rather than sectarian violence. He urged India to move beyond the narrative that only Hasina's leadership can ensure Bangladesh’s stability.
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"The prevailing narrative suggests that without Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh would be overrun by Islamist forces, potentially becoming like Afghanistan. This view traps India in a particular mindset. Bangladesh, like any other neighbor, seeks peaceful coexistence and good governance regardless of leadership," Yunus said.
He expressed his desire for stronger ties with India, calling for enhanced cooperation to mend the strained relations between the two nations. "We need to work together to improve this relationship, which is currently at a low point," he added.
Yunus also indicated that Bangladesh’s caretaker government has communicated to India that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should remain silent unless Bangladesh requests her extradition. "If India wishes to keep her until Bangladesh asks for her return, the condition is that she must stay silent," Yunus noted.
His remarks come amid rising tensions between Bangladesh and India, with concerns over the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, expressed hope for a swift resolution to the violence in Bangladesh and highlighted the concerns of 1.4 billion Indians regarding the safety of minorities in the neighboring country.
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- With inputs from agencies
