Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the Awami League exhibited “all the characteristics of fascism”, saying it has “no place” in the country’s politics for now.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Prof Yunus also said that Bangladesh will not pursue the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India, until the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal delivers its verdict.
Prof Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, expressed a firm stance against the Awami League, the party led by Hasina. “In the short run, definitely she has no place — the Awami League doesn’t have a place — in Bangladesh.”
He further criticized the party’s tactics: “They controlled the people, they controlled the [political] machinery, they controlled the institutions to enhance their interest.”
Awami League has faced accusations from political opponents and human rights groups over election rigging, extrajudicial killings, and seizing control of state institutions during Hasina’s lengthy rule. Since her departure, discussions in Bangladesh have emerged on whether to temporarily suspend the party, mandate its reform, or ban it from political involvement altogether, the Financial Times report said.
Rohingya Crisis: Prof Yunus seeks urgent int’l conf to find solution
The Chief Adviser speculated that Awami League might collapse, but he emphasized that any decision regarding the party’s political future would be the prerogative of other political parties, as his interim government is not “a political government.” He noted that whether Awami League could participate in future elections would depend on a “consensus” among political parties. “They have to decide their political space,” he said.
Prof Yunus, known for his pioneering work with Grameen Bank and as a self-described “banker to the poor,” had previously been targeted by Hasina’s administration. His interim government, which includes student leaders, is setting the stage for elections and has established 10 commissions for reforms in key institutions like the police, judiciary, and public administration, added the report.
He expressed no intention of forming a political party or joining politics, saying, “Our job is to get things settled and get a new reform agenda done,” before engaging political parties in election preparations.
The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government has strained relations with India, which had been her key supporter. Prof Yunus mentioned that while his government would eventually seek her extradition, they would wait for a tribunal verdict. “She is charged with crimes against humanity...when the verdict comes out, we’ll try to get her back through the extradition treaty” with India. He did not believe there was cause to pursue this before a verdict, the report also said.
Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, had earlier dismissed allegations of her responsibility for violence against protesters, claiming she was prepared to face any charges as she “did nothing illegal.”
After Hasina’s ousting, many of her supporters went into hiding, with reports of retaliatory violence against Awami League members.
Chief Adviser Yunus also acknowledged the impact of India’s lukewarm support on his government, noting that the two nations are closely interconnected through power, water, and infrastructure projects, and share a long history. He extended an invitation to Modi, saying, “We tried to… emphasize the fact that we are neighbors, we need each other, we must have the best relationship that any two neighbors should have.”