“A fugitive group has left the country, or their leadership has fled. They are making every effort to destabilize the country," remarked the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Yunus.
In a conversation with BBC Bangla, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus discussed the law and order situation, reforms, elections, and the formation of a new student leadership during the nearly seven months of his leadership in the interim government. He also shared his thoughts on the deteriorating relations between Bangladesh and India.
The interview with the Chief Adviser was conducted by BBC Bangla Editor, Mir Sabbir.
Here, TheReport.Live presents the full interview from BBC Bangla for its readers:
BBC Bangla: Welcome to this BBC Bangla interview. I am Mir Sabbir, and today we are joined by the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh`s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Chief Adviser, thank you very much for joining us for this interview with BBC Bangla.
Chief Adviser: Thank you as well.
BBC Bangla: The last time we spoke was about a year ago, and since then, there have been significant changes in Bangladesh. At that time, you mentioned being worried about getting arrested. You spoke about a fear of arrest. Now, six months into your role as Chief Adviser, how do you see the situation? How successful do you feel you have been in achieving what you aimed to do as the Chief Adviser?
Chief Adviser: First, let me correct something—the fear of arrest—I never really had any fear. There was a possibility that I could be taken in, but I was taking it easy, thinking that if they took me, there was nothing I could do. Since there was no rule of law in the country, they could do whatever they wanted. I was living through that. When the government was formed, I had no idea or thought that I would suddenly be made the head of a government, given such responsibilities. And this is in a country where everything had fallen apart. Nothing was functioning properly. Whatever existed had to be rebuilt from the ruins.
So my first priority was to pull the real situation out of those ruins. To ease people`s daily lives. That was my main focus. Then gradually, we had to think about the future—what direction we should move in.
The first thought that came to mind was that we needed reforms. Because what had allowed such incidents to happen, how a fascist regime managed to stay in power for 16 years and we couldn`t do anything—three elections passed by, and voters were nowhere to be seen. This rampant corruption, failure, and misrule—how could we pull the country out of that? To pull it out, we had to bring in institutional reforms. That`s why, initially, we decided...
BBC Bangla: How much do you think you have been able to pull the country out of that situation?
Chief Adviser: In terms of reforms? We haven`t even started reforms yet...
BBC Bangla: No, I mean in the context you mentioned—that there was a certain situation when you became the Chief Adviser...
Chief Adviser: There have been many changes...
BBC Bangla: How much change, in your view? What do you think?
Chief Adviser: A lot of changes. I would say, from the ruins we came from, a new image is emerging. It`s becoming visible that we have stabilized the economy. We`ve gained trust both domestically and internationally. It`s clear—we have established trust around the world. No one can question whether I have earned the trust of any particular country. Whatever country you mention, they have placed their trust in us. Not only have they placed trust, but they have done so in a big way. They`re saying they`ll do more now than they ever did in the past because they see the government is running smoothly now. That`s what they`re saying. So, that`s a big proof. Whenever you look at the rows of countries—they`ve all come forward and said, "We support you. Whatever you need, we will provide." They have offered incredible levels of support.
BBC Bangla: You mentioned trust and support from abroad, but if we focus on the situation within the country—especially regarding law and order—there has been much criticism about the deterioration of law and order. If I look at police and human rights organizations` statistics, crime has increased quite a bit. Why are you unable to control this?
Chief Adviser: I started by talking about trust, and I will return to that point—trust both domestically and internationally. The key question is whether the people of this country have faith in us.
I believe that the people of this country do have trust in us, in large amounts. That is a significant proof. Whether we are doing this or that—these are smaller issues. Some small things will be good, some will be bad—that will continue to happen. We’ve come into an unfamiliar world here; we’re not experts sitting in these positions. We’ve come from our own respective fields, and we are trying to do our best with what we know. In this process, mistakes can happen. Some things have gone well, others may not have. I’m not denying that.
BBC Bangla: What, in your view, has not gone well?
Chief Adviser: Nothing has gone as well as we would have liked. We want a lot—we want to change the country overnight. That hasn’t been possible. It will take time.
We wanted to start a dialogue right away, but we couldn’t. There have been delays in even starting the dialogue. These things happen. The things we intended to do on time, we couldn’t do on time.
We formed many reform commissions. We were supposed to get reports from them within 90 days, but they couldn’t submit them on time. I’m not blaming them—it’s a huge task. They asked for more time—a month or two. So, there have been slight delays. That’s how it goes when you work.
"Crime rates haven’t increased at all"
BBC Bangla: You mentioned reforms, but if we go back to the issue of law and order, people are saying that the situation has worsened, that they are living in fear, in anxiety—because they see crime happening on the streets. Why can’t you control this?
Chief Adviser: From what reference point are you saying the situation has worsened? You need to tell me that. You’re saying it has worsened. From what reference point has it deteriorated? If you don’t give me that, I won’t understand.
BBC Bangla: If I refer to recent statistics, crime rates on the streets have increased since this time last year...
Chief Adviser: I’ve been keeping track. Crime rates haven’t increased at all. They’re the same as before.
BBC Bangla: If I give you a statistic—over the past six months...
Chief Adviser: One statistic isn’t enough; you have to bring everything into consideration.
BBC Bangla: Over the past six months, the number of robberies has increased by 50 percent. This is according to police statistics. I’m telling you that. The numbers may vary, but we can see that it’s happening. What is the problem with controlling this?
Chief Adviser: We’re trying. You know the problem; I know the problem. Initially, the problem was that the police force we were working with was afraid to go out on the streets. Two days ago, they were being shot at. So, whenever they saw people, they got scared. It took us several months just to fix that. Now they are mostly back to normal. We’re now moving toward re-establishing law and order, and we’ll keep working on it.
BBC Bangla: Alongside this crime, there has been a lot of discussion about another issue, often referred to as mob or organized disorder, such as incidents of public lynching. For example, if I mention a recent case, in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 and across the country, many buildings have been vandalized. Despite these events continuing over a long period, there hasn’t been much visible involvement from the government or law enforcement. Why was there no significant action at that time? You later called for it to stop, but why didn’t law enforcement play an active role then?
Chief Adviser: It’s taking time. They are still not free from their mindset, despite having prepared. That could be one reason. Another thing is that we told them they can report anything to any police station. They can seek legal recourse, and we’ve made that easier now. We are telling them they can report online, create online pages, so that they don’t have to face harassment—because, as you know, there’s always this tradition of harassment in Bangladesh when people go to the police stations. To avoid that, we’ve made it possible to file reports online. We are creating these online systems to make it easier for people to communicate and file cases.
BBC Bangla: While they can do it online, which you’ve made easier, the real work has to be done by the police. You said the police haven’t reached that level yet, that they are not trusting themselves or being active. It’s been almost seven months, and the crisis of trust still hasn’t been resolved?
Chief Adviser: It hasn’t been possible yet. But we are trying. There’s been a lot of improvement, but the solution hasn’t come yet.
Crack in Unity?
BBC Bangla: Let’s talk about the time you took office. Before you assumed office, there was discussion about three active parties: the students who led the mass uprising, the political parties, and the army. All three sides promised full cooperation with you. What is the current relationship with the political parties? Is it still the same as it was back then, or has the situation changed?
Chief Adviser: I don’t think my position has changed. I haven’t heard that anyone is opposing me. Everyone is supporting us, everyone wants the country to run smoothly, and there is unity among them.
There are many differences in political statements, but that doesn’t mean there’s a crack in the unity. That hasn’t happened.
BBC Bangla: If I refer to one individual, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, he has stated that doubts have arisen in the public’s mind regarding the neutrality of the interim government.
Chief Adviser: In the public’s mind... whether he has doubts is a different matter.
BBC Bangla: Why would the public have doubts?
Chief Adviser: He hasn’t said that, though. I’m saying this. When we sat down, no one said there were doubts. He said, “We are with you.”
BBC Bangla: So, is he saying something different in front of you but making a different statement publicly? Is that what’s happening?
Chief Adviser: Whether he’s saying something different, that’s for you to understand. But there hasn’t been any issue with our relationship.
BBC Bangla: Regarding the students... The students have formed a political party, or have already done so. Some political parties, especially BNP, have raised complaints that the government is supporting them. Is the government supporting them?
Chief Adviser: No, the government is not supporting them. Whoever wants to engage in politics has resigned and left. Three student representatives were in the government, but those who decided to pursue politics have resigned and left the government. They are now free to engage in politics as private citizens, and who is stopping them?
BBC Bangla: But before and after you took office, you’ve often said that the students are your or your government’s employers. Is that why there’s support for their political activities from the government?
Chief Adviser: Look, you can observe for yourself. If you see that their work is good, then you can decide. Everyone will have their own opinion about which political party is doing good work and which is not. That’s a personal attitude. As a government, we don’t have any position on that.
BBC Bangla: So, would you say that the complaints made by various political parties are not accurate?
Chief Adviser: Not accurate at all.
BBC Bengali: Are you receiving cooperation from the military?
Chief Advisor: Absolutely.
BBC Bengali: Is it the same as it was from the beginning?
Chief Advisor: Absolutely.
BBC Bengali: You must be aware that recently the army chief made a statement where he mentioned that he and you agree on many things. One of his statements was that if everyone does not work together, Bangladesh`s independence and sovereignty could be at risk. Do you agree with this statement?
Chief Advisor: That’s his statement, and he can say whatever he wants. It`s not for me to endorse or not endorse it.
BBC Bengali: Since he said that, and you have spoken about agreeing on many things, do you think that there’s a possibility that independence and sovereignty could be at risk? As the head of the government, what is your view?
Chief Advisor: This is always a possibility. A group has fled the country or their leadership has left. They are trying everything they can to unsettle the situation. This threat is always present, it is everywhere, at every moment. So this will always be there.
BBC Bengali: Are you referring to the ousted Awami League?
Chief Advisor: Of course. It’s obvious. They keep announcing things from time to time. They give speeches, they address the people. You and I hear it. People are getting agitated.
BBC Bengali: Regarding the Awami League, you have mentioned or implied various activities on their part. Where do you see the threat?
Chief Advisor: They are addressing the people, calling them to action, asking for protests, strikes, and other activities. How do you think people will perceive this? Will everything just go away peacefully?
BBC Bengali: As a major goal of the interim government, you have spoken about reforms, and you have formed several commissions for that. But since you are saying that elections will be held by the end of the year, how much reform do you think you can achieve in such a short time?
Chief Advisor: We have started the process. We will give every recommendation. Along with the recommendations, there will be a conversation asking whether the political parties support them. Are they agreeable? If they are, they can say so; if not, they can say so. Or if any amendments need to be made to a recommendation, they can suggest that. The question is whether these amendments should be made before or after the election. We will gather all these questions together.
We just need to tell the political parties which ones are agreeable to them. We will separate those recommendations where everyone has agreed. We will bring that into a document and call it the "July Charter."
We will ask everyone to sign it since you all agreed. Just like we followed the July Charter, we will proceed based on that. The election will be conducted in that context. Whatever you’ve said will be done before the election, and whatever you’ve said after the election will be done afterward. This is your decision, but you all have agreed. We are trying to create that consensus.
BBC Bengali: So, can we say that the election will happen within this year?
Chief Advisor: We have already announced that. There`s nothing new to say.
BBC Bengali: When we last spoke, you mentioned that due to the cases and harassment against you, your personal life has been affected in many ways. Now that it`s been seven months in your role as the Chief Advisor, how has your personal life been affected?
Chief Advisor: I have completely deviated from my personal life now. My life is very different now. It’s like working in a confined space. I don’t have the opportunity to work freely. Whatever I do now, it’s in a very restricted way, with a focused approach. So, I can’t really compare this to my previous free life. Back then, I did whatever I wanted, but now I can`t do that anymore.
BBC Bengali: After the mass uprising, there have been some tensions between India and Bangladesh. What is the current state of relations between the two countries?
Chief Advisor: Very good. There has been no deterioration in our relationship. As I have always explained, our relationship will remain good. It is still good, and it will remain good in the future.
There is no way for the Bangladesh-India relationship to be anything but good. Our relationship is close, we are highly interdependent, and historically, politically, and economically, we have such a close relationship that we can’t deviate from it. However, there have been some tensions in between, and I have said that clouds have appeared. These clouds have mostly come from propaganda. Who is behind the propaganda is something others will judge. But due to this propaganda, there has been some misunderstanding. We are trying to overcome that misunderstanding.
BBC Bangla: Are you in direct communication with the Indian government?
Chief Advisor: We are always in contact. They come here, and our people go there. I had discussions with Prime Minister Modi in the first week itself.
BBC Bangla: You recently spoke with Elon Musk and invited him to Bangladesh. Is this an attempt to build a relationship with the new U.S. administration?
Chief Advisor: This was primarily about Starlink. It was a business-related matter. We are discussing the possibility of connecting to Starlink.
Will the Awami League be banned or participate in the elections?
BBC Bangla: There have been disagreements among political parties regarding the politics of the Awami League, with various people saying different things. What is your position on this?
Chief Advisor: It’s all about consensus. We always go back to consensus. Whatever everyone decides together, we will do that.
BBC Bangla: So, you don`t have a direct position on whether the Awami League will be banned or whether they will participate in the elections?
Chief Advisor: I don’t go into the details. My position has always been that we are all citizens of this country. We all have equal rights over this country. We are all brothers. We have to live in this country. We have to make this country great. So, whatever political parties decide, they will do things their way. There is no way to take anyone’s rights away in this country. But those who have done wrong, they must be tried. That’s all.
BBC Bangla: According to Bangladesh’s state structure, there should be regular communication between the President and the head of government. Do you have communication with the current President?
Chief Advisor: Whenever necessary. There’s no need to waste his time unnecessarily. Whenever I need something, I go to him.
BBC Bangla: In a previous interview, you mentioned that during the one-eleven period, you had planned to form a political party, and you said it was a mistake to get into politics. Now you hold the country’s highest political office. How do you evaluate that? Do you think it was the right decision to come here, or would you prefer not to judge yet?
Chief Advisor: No, I will judge. First of all, I didn’t form a political party. I had talked about forming one. For ten weeks, this was discussed. After ten weeks, I said no, I won’t go into politics. I said that politics is not my cup of tea. And that’s where it ended. After that, no one could pull me into politics. Many people tried to get me to take the country’s leadership, to become Prime Minister. Many people tried. I didn’t want that. I said, that chapter is over. Ten weeks—that’s enough. So, I’m where I am now. There’s no chance of me going into politics. I don’t do politics.
BBC Bangla: But this is a political position, the head of government...
Chief Advisor: Technically, yes. But I didn’t want this position either. I was asked many times. Then I finally agreed. I took on the responsibility. If this is a political position, it’s by definition. But I don’t do politics.
BBC Bangla: Chief Advisor Professor Mohammad Yunus, thank you so much for giving your time to BBC Bangla.
Chief Advisor: Thank you as well.
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