Muhammad Yunus
| Photo Credit: C.V. Subrahmanyam

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman (C) standing alongside chief adviser of the country’s interim government Muhammad Yunus (2L) during the burial ceremony of his mother and the nation’s former prime minister Khaleda Zia a day after her death in Dhaka.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus-led interim government on Saturday (December 13, 2025) ordered a nationwide security clampdown as fresh unrest gripped the country following the shooting of a right-wing cultural group’s youth leader.

Inquilab Mancha leader Sharif Osmann Hadi, also a candidate in the scheduled February 12 general elections, was shot on Friday (December 12, 2025) as he initiated his election campaign at central Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area.

According to doctors, his condition is very critical.

“The government is going to start the second phase of Operation Devil Hunt to help ensure public safety and combat the growing threat of illegal arms,” Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told a press conference.

The interim government first launched the Operation Devil hunt in February this year, following protests over an attack on a former Minister’s private house in the northern suburb of the capital. The operation targeted alleged “henchmen” and supporters of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s now disbanded Awami League.

Home Adviser Chowdhury announced a reward of 50 lakh taka ($40,985.81) for information leading to the arrest of one of the suspects who shot Mr. Hadi. Meanwhile, police issued the suspect’s pictures, identifying him as Faisal Karim Masud.

He was one of the three motorcycle-borne assailants who shot Mr. Hadi in the head from close range in Bijoynagar, where the youth leader is contesting as an independent candidate.

Newspaper reports quoting Mr. Hadi’s associates said the assailants were acquainted with him and had accompanied him since Friday (December 12, 2025) morning, a day after the Election Commission announced the poll schedule.

Mr. Hadi was initially rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) following the shooting, from where he was shifted overnight to the specialised Evercare Hospital.

“His [Mr. Hadi’s] condition is critical. He has been provided a life support system,” DMCH Director Brigadier General Mohammad Asaduzzaman told reporters earlier.

Doctors at Evercare said on Saturday (December 13, 2025) that Mr. Hadi’s condition “remains static” but “not out of danger”, while the medical board formed for him preferred not to perform any surgery immediately, relying on medication and supportive treatment for now.

Chief Adviser Yunus ordered a manhunt for the suspects, and on Saturday (December 13, 2025) met Mr. Hadi’s family members, assuring them of all support for his treatment. “The whole country is praying for him, and everyone is trying to ensure that he receives the best medical care,” Mr. Yunus said.

Mr. Hadi was a frontline leader of last year’s student-led violent street protest dubbed the July Uprising, which toppled the Hasina-led Awami League Government on August 5.

Home Adviser Chowdhury said the government had taken steps to ensure special security for the “frontline fighters” of the July Uprising, adding MP candidates would also be issued firearm licenses if they wanted. He said that candidates who earlier handed over their licensed weapons to the authorities, would be returned their arms.

Meanwhile, critically ill former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party, as well as the Jamaat-e-Islami, and student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) strongly criticised the attack on Hadi.

NCP chief organiser Hasnat Abdullah, Mr. Hadi’s close comrade during and after the uprising, said, “There would be no place for fascists [Awami League] in Bangladesh, regardless of the name or platform under which they operate.”

“We take an oath in Osman Hadi’s blood – they will not be given even an inch of space in this country,” he told a protest rally.

The Inquilab Mancha spearheads a campaign to arrest “all terrorists” of the disbanded Awami League from the central to grassroots levels and ensure security of the “July warriors”.

It was at the forefront of a campaign to disband the Awami League, which the Yunus-led interim government did in May this year, disqualifying it from contesting the polls.

Published – December 13, 2025 09:03 pm IST

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. File.
| Photo Credit: AP

People walk past a closed stall at Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka on February 11, 2025, after chanting protesters were angry over a book by exiled feminist author Taslima Nasrin.
| Photo Credit: AFP

A group of protesters stormed a book stall in Dhaka over the display of books by exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin, prompting Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to order a probe into the “disorderly behaviour”, according to a media report.

The incident took place on Monday (February 10, 2025) at the publishing house Sabyasachi Prokashoni stall at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, Bdnews24 reported.

The incident unfolded on the 10th day of the fair when a group under the banner of “Towhidi Janata” stormed the Sabyasachi Prokashoni stall at Suhrawardy Udyan over the display of books by exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin, the report added.

ALSO READ: ‘Don’t call me Muslim, I am an atheist’ — Taslima Nasrin interview (2015)

The group surrounded the publisher and chanted slogans, prompting police to intervene and take Sabyasachi publisher Shatabdi Vobo into their control room to restore order, it said.

However, the protesters then encircled the police control room, keeping tensions high.

‘Disorderly behaviour’: Chief Adviser Yunus

Following widespread criticism, Chief Adviser Yunus ordered authorities on Monday evening to bring those responsible to justice, it added.

“This kind of disorderly behaviour disregards both the rights of citizens and the laws of Bangladesh,” the Chief Adviser’s Office said in a statement.

Bangla Academy has formed a seven-member committee to investigate the chaos and attack on the publishing house. The committee has been asked to submit its findings within three working days, Bangla Academy said in a statement on Tuesday.

Describing the incident as “undesirable,” the academy said the committee was formed to ensure a fair probe.

Since the incident, the Sabyasachi stall, number 128, has remained closed.

However, Bangla Academy clarified on Monday that it had not shut down any stalls or banned any books.

Warning against mob violence

Meanwhile, Mahfuj Alam — considered a de facto minister in the interim government and a key leader of Bangladesh’s Anti-Discrimination Students Movement — has issued a stern warning, stating that anyone involved in mob violence will face strict legal action, the report said.

Addressing the “Towhidi Janata” group, he cautioned that if they engage in violent acts, they will be treated as lawbreakers and subjected to severe legal consequences, with no further warnings.

Mr. Mahfuj made these remarks on Monday after a group of enraged individuals stormed the stall over the sale of a poetry book by Ms. Nasrin.

Videos circulating on social media show a group of men in Islamic attire crowding in front of the stall and forcing an individual inside to hold his ears and apologise, the report added.

Ms. Nasrin’s writings won critical acclaim and global attention in the early 1990s. However, her radical writings exposing hypocrisy as well as fundamentalism, also infuriated the orthodox clergy in her homeland, some of whom passed ‘fatwas’ against her, forcing her to flee to Europe and the U.S.

She has been living in India since 2004 (except from 2008 to 2010) after being expelled from Bangladesh in 1994 and her permit to stay in India expired in July 2024.

However, in October 2024, India extended her residence permit for another year.

Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government. 
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Bangladesh’s national elections could be held between late 2025 and early 2026, depending on the extent of reforms implemented. If minimal reforms are undertaken to ensure an accurate voter list, elections could be possible by late 2025. However, if comprehensive reforms are implemented based on the Electoral Reforms Commission recommendations and national consensus, it may require an additional six months,

The country’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus made the announcement during his address to the nation on December 16, 2024, marking the first Victory Day following the July-August uprising that ended the 16-year regime of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Dr. Yunus said, “I have repeatedly urged for the completion of major reforms before holding the elections. However, if political consensus requires us to conduct elections based on only a few key reforms and ensuring a flawless voter list, then elections could take place by late 2025. On the other hand, if we include additional reforms recommended by the Electoral Reforms Commission and supported by national consensus, it may require an additional six months. In summary, elections are likely to occur between late 2025 and the first half of 2026.”

Dr. Yunus also welcomed East Timor’s President, Nobel Peace Prize laureate José Ramos-Horta, who reached Dhaka to join the Victory Day celebrations. Dr. Yunus said Mr. Ramos-Horta led his country’s struggle for independence, inspired by Bangladesh’s Liberation War. East Timor achieved independence in 2002.

Dr. Yunus further mentioned a recent historic meeting with 19 ambassadors of the European Union (EU). For the first time, nearly all EU ambassadors came together to Dhaka to meet with the government, a significant gesture reflecting their strong support for Bangladesh.

“A few days ago, I held a meeting with 19 ambassadors from the European Union (EU). For the first time, nearly all EU ambassadors gathered together in Dhaka to meet with the government. This is a historic event, as most of these embassies are based in Delhi, and many of the ambassadors had never visited Dhaka before. They came together to send a clear message that the European Union stands ready to offer Bangladesh their fullest support and cooperation”, he added.

Dr. Yunus said his government briefed the EU diplomats on the interim government’s reform initiatives and commitment to holding democratic elections.

“I briefed the EU diplomats on the interim government’s reform initiatives and the democratic process for elections. They extended their full support and assured us of maximum cooperation. I also informed them about the misinformation campaigns against Bangladesh.”

Addressing issues faced by Bangladeshi students, he said, “I requested EU countries with visa offices in New Delhi to consider relocating them to Dhaka or neighbouring countries. Many Bangladeshi students encounter difficulties in obtaining visas to enroll in European universities. Establishing visa centres in Dhaka would significantly reduce their hardships.”

On Bangladesh’s economic progress, Dr. Yunus said, “The interim government has successfully restored confidence among donor agencies, including the World Bank, regarding the future of our economy. They are now engaging with renewed enthusiasm and interest to establish new financial partnerships with us. Both domestically and internationally, confidence in the economy is returning.”

Reflecting on the economic situation when the interim government took office, he said, “The economy was on the brink of collapse. Over the past four months, we have seen a significant turnaround. Confidence and discipline have returned to the banking sector. No banks had to be closed down; even the weakest ones have been sustained.”

Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government. File.
| Photo Credit: AP

In a major crackdown on the veteran security officials, the interim government of Bangladesh this week has ordered the cancellation of passports of twenty-two officials who served in the powerful intelligence and law enforcement agencies including the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). In a notification, the Home Ministry of Bangladesh announced that the passports of these veteran officers were being cancelled as they are currently under investigation for disappearing political opponents during the Sheikh Hasina presidency.

The notification further stated that there were primary evidence of their involvement in abduction of opponents and the step was being taken to prevent them from leaving the country. Most of the names in the list were in prominent positions in the Bangladesh military, and in the intelligence agency DGFI and the National Security Intelligence (NSI). A few on the list were involved in the Rapid Action Battalion, an enforcement outfit that got negative publicity during Hasina era. The Home Ministry of Bangladesh is currently headed by Adviser for Home Affairs Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

Also read | Bangladesh ex-police chief faces crimes against humanity charges

Among those mentioned in the list is Molla Fazle Akbar who served as the head of DGFI during 2009 to 2011. Others in the list are former officers of DGFI and NSI Lt. Gen. Akbar Hossein, Saiful Abedin, Saiful Alam, Ahmed Tabrez Shams Choudhury, Maj. Gen. Hamidul Haque. Since the formation of the interim government under the leadership of Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus, Dhaka has released persons who were reportedly under detention in secret hideouts controlled by various intelligence and security outfits under Sheikh Hasina government. Senior police officer Mohiuddin Faruki who is currently in prison on murder charges is also on the list. Noteworthy that it was during the tenure of Molla Fazle Akbar as the head of DGFI that Bangladesh carried out several operations targeting insurgent groups – ULFA included – that were active in northeast India.

The order to cancel passports came days after the special commission on disappeared persons recommended that these former officials should be prevented from leaving the country. A report published by news outlet Jugantar has informed that the actual process of cancellation of the passports may take 2-3 days.  The latest decision on cancellation of passports of veteran military and security officials is the biggest such action targeting the security establishment of Bangladesh that has been carried out by the Yunus government that is facing a law and order crisis because of the absence of effective policing in the country. The police forces of Bangladesh have been facing public ire because of their role in the anti-students crackdown during the last days of the Hasina government.

You have finished 100 days as the chief advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh. How would you grade your government on two major issues- law and order and the economy? 

Well, we are still improving on law and order, but I wouldn’t say we have got an ‘A’ yet. On the other issue- I’ll say it’s A-plus because we inherited a shattered economy. All financial institutions and banking systems nearly collapsed. It was a crazy banking system. Bad loans, 60% non-repayment. A large number of banks don’t know how to deal with each other, how to deal with the customers, and so on. So we had an almost dysfunctional financial system. So from there, we built it up, making the banking system function again. It’s not perfect yet, but they’re moving forward. Our foreign exchange reserves went down as we took over responsibility, but now have been growing month on month for the past 100 days. We were able to make our debt payments and that has improved our international image. We are trying to tame inflation down to a level where it’s tolerable. Best of all, we have gotten a tremendous amount of global support— the international community is doing business with us, assuring us of further collaboration opening the door for investments and so on. When I was in the United Nations, at the General Assembly meeting, I met so many heads of government, including President Biden and the head of the President of the European Union, and many more, who promised us financial support and also political support. We have officials who are ready to solve the problems for investors quickly so that they are not caught up in the bureaucratic process of Bangladesh, a one-stop service where you can get things done. So I would say the country is moving in a very positive way.

You’ve certainly drawn a very, positive picture. But are you worried about the future— the election of Donald Trump in the U.S., for example, who issued a very strong statement criticising Bangladesh? How confident are you that international support will continue with the new U.S. administration?

I don’t think President Trump has made any statement about Bangladesh.  

He has, on the state of minorities…

Well, that is now about Bangladesh, and on minorities, he is probably not well informed. It’s a propaganda that’s going on around the world. But when he comes to the reality of dealing with Bangladesh, Mr. Trump will be surprised at how different Bangladesh is from the impression he has been given. I don’t think just because there’s a new president in the U.S. means that everything will change. Foreign policies and country-by-country relationships don’t usually change because of a change in the President. Also, if there is a change in Trump 2.0, let us remember there is also a Bangladesh 2.0 now, what we call new Bangladesh. So we will wait, and if U.S. representatives come and check with us, and if our economy is doing well, they’ll be very much interested. They are the largest government buyers from Bangladesh, so from our side, it’s a very good relationship that we’ve built over years. Our hope is that it will be strengthened.

You referred to what Mr. Trump said as propaganda- but it’s not just him. The Indian government has put out a number of statements expressing concern about how Hindus are being targeted, homes burnt, killings in certain cases, even suspected rape. How do you respond to that? 

In my first phone call with Prime Minister Modi [On August 16], that’s precisely what he said, that minorities are being treated badly in Bangladesh and so on. I told him, very clearly, that it’s propaganda. After many reporters came here, there were some reports about some tensions, but not in the way that’s been built up in the media.

Who do you think is behind it then?

I don’t know, but this propaganda doesn’t fit into the reality. A very serious group of people have gone into all the cases, one by one…

I have spoken to members of the minority community. They do feel scared. They do feel targeted. There are videos out on Facebook, on social media talking about the fact that Bangladesh will be a Muslim country. We do hear about people in positions of power now talking about changing the constitution to take secularism out of it. There is a sense that what is coming to Bangladesh next, and through your own government, is a much more radical form of Islam than we have seen in Bangladesh in the last 16 years. Is there something that your government can do to reassure these communities ? 

Does this [image] fit me? Every single member of the cabinet either is a human rights activist who has suffered themselves, or an environmental activist, or a gender activist or other activist. So these are all activist people. If you say the words that you said in front of them, they will be shouting at you. Go through the lives of each one of the Cabinet members. 

So you’re saying no one in your cabinet would push for an Islamist agenda. 

Look at the life stories of each one of them. These are very dedicated people. There are women activists. If you think they are the ones who will be championing the kind of rule that you’re describing.

There are other concerns— According to figures released by Human Rights Group Adhikar— 841 people were injured in political violence, and eight died in extra-judicial killings just in September. We hear many journalists have had their accreditations cancelled…some would say your government is continuing the behaviour of the past.

Let people judge, and compare what this government has done, and what the other government has done. I’m not going to debate. We have ensured press freedom. There’s no doubt about it. The accreditation law was not made by us. We just applied it, and you can debate about it, whether it is a correct application. I would like to change that law. That was a law which belonged to some other kind of regime. 

Another worry is that people associated with the previous government will be targeted for political revenge. Are there mechanisms you can put in place to ensure that doesn’t happen?

I would say let the rule of law prevail. That’s it.

You have set up so many commissions for reform— why not a commission on minority rights? 

We do have a commission on human rights— and why should minorities go separately? I said [to the minority groups], you are a citizen of the country. You have every right guaranteed by the Constitution. We all want human rights to be established and all the rights that the Constitution gives us. See who is on our Constitution commission, and who heads it (U.S.-based academic Ali Riaz) and then try to reconcile with what you are saying…otherwise this is allpropaganda.

If it is believed in a country like India, that’s right next door, or in the United States, has your government then failed to convince people it is propaganda ?

Maybe we don’t have that kind of clout or money power to convince the world otherwise.  

You have not so far met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, although you have spoken on the telephone…

Yes, that’s something that hasn’t happened yet. when I came to the UN General Assembly, Mr. Modi had left. I attended the CoP in Baku, but he wasn’t there, BIMSTEC [in Thailand] was cancelled, and neither of us travelled for the Commonwealth CHOGM meet. But that doesn’t mean that we are not going to meet. We are not only neighbours, history has brought us together. Geography has brought us together. Linguistic relationships have brought us together. Cultural links bring us together. From day one, I have proposed to PM Modi to revive the SAARC. Why should it be a dead body? I even suggested that all SAARC leaders could meet in New York, just for five minutes to send out the message that we are still there.

India and Bangladesh now cooperate on BIMSTEC, BBIN. So why SAARC? . 

Why not SAARC? The more friends and relationships we can make, the better.

Because with SAARC, India and Pakistan have what seems to be irreconcilable differences…

SAARC must go on… It shouldn’t be that the whole group disappears only because of one relationship between two countries. We can pass a resolution, suspend any India-Pakistan issues from the agenda, but we can’t end SAARC.

Was it then a mistake for Bangladesh in 2016 to support India in suspending SAARC until terrorism ends? 

If we put such conditions, no relationship will ever exist. Why should all other South Asian countries suffer because of the relationship between two member countries? 

When it comes to the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh, how was it affected by the events of August 5? Was it a blow? 

Why should it be? India should be celebrating as a friendly country that Bangladesh was liberated from a rule where people suffered, so many were killed, so many disappeared, and so many institutions were destroyed. It should join our young people and celebrate together, like many other nations do.

You have said that Ms. Hasina’s presence in India since August 5 poses difficulties for ties…

[Former PM Hasina’s] living in India, at least for the time being, is not a problem. Talking to Bangladesh is the problem. She is talking to Bangladeshi people, and it is political. She is continuing her political activities, which is the problem.

In what way?

She is asking for them to come out and demonstrate on the streets of Dhaka and other cities, and her audio is being circulated, telling them to hold pictures of [U.S. President-elect] Donald Trump [as shields], so that if the police stop them, they will say the Bangladesh government is against the U.S. This is interfering with the internal and external matters of another country.

Your government has approached Interpol with a request to bring her back- why not request India directly? There are bilateral mechanisms to invoke.

We will use all legal means to get her back.

And yet, your government has not actually asked for an extradition. There’s an extradition treaty. 

I think there are legal steps which we are taking towards that, but we have not come to that stage yet. 

What if India does not accept the request, invoking clauses on political prosecutions?

Are you saying India would violate the treaty? Yes, there are such clauses, but if the Indian government were to use them to keep [Ms. Hasina] there, that will not make a very happy relationship between us. Our interim government is very short-lived, so it may not be able to settle everything between Bangladesh and India. But this will not be forgiven by any government that comes after us.

Do you foresee India-Bangladesh ties moving smoothly on other issues? Recently we have seen some initiatives on energy connectivity, trade connectivity etc.

Our dream is imagining a relationship like the European Union [with freedom of movement and trade]. That’s the direction we want to go. What you mentioned are good signs and the direction we would like to move in, but far away from what we want to achieve, which is union of very close ties. We are born to be together. We are twins.

How “short lived” is your government? When do you foresee elections?

When we were given the responsibility, it was made clear to us, that we wouldn’t just be a caretaker government, that comes in, holds an election and hands over. We were told that our major responsibility is reform for Bangladesh, 2.0. We didn’t want to stay for long, so we came up with this formulation. The election process began right from day one, as a separate process, and the other process of reforms will move in parallel. Now, first of all, we have created the Election Commission, which is a long, drawn process, and we expect to announce in the coming weeks, the chief election commissioners who will form an independent entity to hold elections. But they cannot hold an election until some other reforms happen- the Commission for constitutional reform will need to decide on whether we will have a bicameral parliament, whether will Bangladesh have proportional representation, terms and term limits and so on.
I would say the train for elections has left the station, but along the way, we have to put the rail down in which direction it will go and that’s why we have to go back to the reform commissions.

Could this take a few years?

I have no idea. People would like to see an elected government, so we will be in a hurry to make the consensus as fast as possible.

Will the Awami League be allowed to contest elections? 

This is already announced. We didn’t want to take decisions about the political party, and the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) has done that, saying that all political parties must contest elections. So they already made the verdict, and we cannot defy the opinion of a major party of the country. 

So you have no objection to the Awami League contesting? 

I’m not a politician to choose one party or another party. I am facilitating the politicians’ wishes. 

You did try to start your own party several years ago (in 2007)…

That was just for 10 weeks, and then I held a press conference and shut it down. Many people put pressure on me, saying that people need a change. We even named the party but that was about it. Even so for the rest of my life I have accused of wanting a political party. 

You don’t see yourself as a politician?

I don’t see myself as a politician ever.

Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus said that not only the deaths in the uprising but all other violations of human rights, including alleged enforced disappearances while Ms. Hasina was in power, would be investigated. File
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Bangladesh’s interim leader and Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus said Sunday (November 17, 2024) that his administration will seek the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, where she has been in exile since fleeing a mass uprising in August 2024.

In a televised address to the nation on his first 100 days in office, Mr. Yunus said that the interim government will try those responsible, including Ms. Hasina, for hundreds of deaths during the student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule. Mr. Yunus took the helm on August 8, 2024, three days after Ms. Hasina fled the country.

He said that not only the deaths in the uprising but all other violations of human rights, including alleged enforced disappearances while Ms. Hasina was in power, would be investigated. Bangladesh has sought help from the global police organization Interpol in issuing a red notice for the arrest of Ms. Hasina and her associates.

“We will seek the return of the fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina from India,” Mr. Yunus said. “I have already discussed the issue with chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan.”

While Hasina and her close associates are facing numerous criminal charges at home, the Yunus-led government is also pushing for the ICC to take up the case.

Seeking Hasina’s extradition could also pose a challenge for India, which has treated her as a trusted friend.

Mr. Yunus said his government’s most important task was to hold a new election to hand over power to an elected government, but he did not spell out any timeframe. He said his administration would first bring about reforms in various sectors, including in the electoral system.

He promised that once the electoral reforms are completed, a roadmap for the new election would be unveiled.

Mr. Yunus has been talking to political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Hasina’s main rival, which has sought an election in two to three months. The party believes it will form the next government as Hasina’s Awami League party and its allies face a political debacle following her ouster.

Mr. Yunus said the Election Commission will be reconstituted soon.

“But as we move forward, we need to complete a lot of work. The train will reach its final station depending on how quickly we can lay down the railway tracks, and this will happen through consensus among the political parties,” he said.

Mr. Yunus also downplayed as “exaggerated” reports of attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, many of whom complained that hard-line Islamists are becoming increasingly influential since Hasina’s ouster.

Dhaka:

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said on Sunday that the interim government will seek the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after the fall of her government following a mass protest movement in August.

In an address to the nation on the completion of 100 days of the interim government, Yunus also said that his government has been continuing its all-out efforts to ensure the security of all citizens, including religious minorities.

“We must ensure justice in every killing…We will also ask India to send back fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina,” Yunus was quoted as saying by the state-run BSS news agency.

His remarks indicate a U-turn as in an interview with the UK-based Financial Times newspaper last month, Yunus said his government would not immediately seek Hasina’s extradition from India.

Yunus, who assumed office on August 8, claimed that about 1500 people, including students and workers, were killed while 19,931 others were wounded during the protest against the Hasina government.

“Our government is very careful to collect information on every death,” he said, adding that the government made arrangements for treatment of the injured in various specialized hospitals, including 13 hospitals in Dhaka.

Hasina, 77, resigned and fled to India following massive protests by students and others against her government over a controversial quota system in government jobs.

She landed at the Hindon airbase near Delhi on August 5. She was believed to have been shifted later to an unspecified location and has not been seen in public since then.

Hasina and her party leaders face accusations of ordering brutal suppression of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, resulting in numerous casualties during the July-August protests.

Yunus said his government is investigating every incident in a few cases where religious minorities were subjected to violence.

“We have tried our best so that any citizen of the country, not only Hindu community members, doesn’t become a victim of violence. We will continue these efforts,” he said in his address to the nation.

He said Bangladesh was a completely insecure country when the interim government assumed office.

Yunus said an attempt was made to spread unnecessary fear among the religious minorities.

“In some cases, they have also been subjected to violence. But all the hype about it was completely exaggerated. Those little cases of violence that took place were mainly political,” he said.

But ill efforts were made to make the country unstable again by giving religious colour to these events, he said, adding that the government dealt with the situation firmly with the cooperation of all.

He said that after two months of assumption of office by his government, Durga Puja was celebrated in around 32,000 puja mandaps across the country.

He said the government took extensive security preparations during the Durga Puja so that the Hindu community members celebrate the festival smoothly.

Hindus constitute just about 8 per cent of the 170 million Bangladesh population. The minority Hindu community members have faced regular vandalism of their businesses and destruction of temples during and since the protest erupted, resulting in the ouster of Prime Minister Hasina.

Yunus also said that the Election Commission (EC) will be formed soon while an election roadmap will be announced after competing reforms in the electoral system.

“Once the electoral reforms are decided, you will get the election roadmap very soon,” he said.

Noting that there is a question in everyone’s mind about when the elections will be held, Yunus said the government has started taking necessary steps to hold the elections.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)