Bangladesh was in ruins, like another Gaza: Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus

Bangladesh‍‍`s Chief Advisor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has made a bold statement about the state of the country when he took over, describing it as being "in ruins, like another Gaza." 

He expressed that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country in a state of devastation. His remarks were published in an interview with The Guardian on Monday.

Dr. Yunus took charge of the interim government on August 8, 2024, following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5 after a student-led uprising. 

Hasina fled to India shortly after the fall and remains in exile there. 

Dr. Yunus, an 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, said that he accepted the role of Chief Advisor only after repeated requests from students.

He described the situation he encountered upon assuming office, saying, "She (Hasina) caused irreparable damage to the country. It was a nation in complete disarray, like another Gaza, though it wasn’t buildings that were destroyed. Instead, it was our institutions, policies, people, and even international relations."

Reflecting on Hasina’s tenure, Yunus accused her regime of being illegitimate and corrupt. 

"Hasina‍‍`s time in power wasn‍‍`t about governance; it was about a family of criminals. Orders from the top were carried out without question. If someone posed a problem, they were made to disappear. If there was an election, she made sure to win every seat. If someone wanted money, they’d get a million-dollar loan from the bank that they’d never need to repay,” he alleged.

In the interview, Dr. Yunus also addressed the sensitive issue of Hasina’s asylum in India. 

While he acknowledged India’s right to offer her refuge, he cautioned against allowing her to use India as a platform to destabilize Bangladesh.

"India offering Hasina sanctuary is tolerable, but letting her use the country as a base to launch campaigns aimed at reinstating the old regime is dangerous and destabilizing for Bangladesh," he remarked.

The Guardian further elaborated on Hasina‍‍`s rule, noting that it was riddled with allegations of dictatorship, violence, and corruption. 

Her government collapsed after weeks of bloodshed in July and August. 

According to reports from the United Nations, over 1,400 people were killed during anti-government protests at the time. 

The UN has suggested that the violent suppression of protesters by the police could amount to crimes against humanity. 

Sheikh Hasina has firmly denied all accusations.

With these revelations and strong remarks from Dr. Yunus, the political situation in Bangladesh continues to remain tense, as the country grapples with the aftermath of the unrest and the challenging road to recovery under the interim government.