Members of ‘Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha UK’ stage a protest against alleged atrocities on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

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.

Protest by the Anti-discrimination movement that happened in Dhaka, Bangladesh. File
| Photo Credit: AP

On the last day of the year, the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement of Bangladesh and other constituents of the July-August political uprising in the country will launch a ‘July proclamation’ that will “bury the 1972 constitution of Bangladesh”, the conveners of the Anti Discrimination Students Movement announced on Sunday (December 29, 2024).

Addressing a press conference in Dhaka convener Hasnat Abdullah said the proclamation should have been released earlier and that the delay in announcing it has given chance to Sheikh Hasina and her supporters to question the uprising.

The announcement is a significant development in the turbulent year in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government was overthrown in a movement that was led by the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement. “At 3 pm, 31 December, we will declare the proclamation of July revolution. This will be the announcement of Bangladesh’s next goals, dreams and intentions. The declaration of 31 December at the Shahid Minar will be a legal recognition of the July Revolution. We want the Mujib-badi constitution should be buried,” said Mr. Abdullah.

A draft of the ‘July proclamation’, shared on the occasion by the organisers of the press event, held the constitution responsible for multiple problems the country has faced in recent years including the strong-arm rule by Ms. Hasina. “We resolve that we need a political settlement altering the ’72 and 1/11 Settlements, which will pave the way for a new democratic republic,” the draft document stated. It further said, “We want reform or annulment of the ’72 constitution as it has sustained fascism in Bangladesh. The Interim Government, duly constituted, will be entrusted with reforms of the institutions and constitution.”

Following Ms. Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh has been under the Interim Government led by Prof. Mohammad Yunus but the students and other protesters have continued to play an important role in shaping the agenda of the government through ADSM, National Citizens Committee, and the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation.

The July Declaration, shall be “deemed to have come into effect from 5th August of 2024”. Later in the day, Hasnat Abdullah further said in a social media post, “Return of Awami politics will have be made impossible. Indian hegemony has to be ended. We will have to build independent, sovereign, self-dependent Bangladesh. A society of equity and insaf has to be built in Bangladesh.”

The announcement of the event on 31 December by the ADSM came even as a commission constituted by the interim government is already deliberating on reforming the constitution that was written in 1972 in the backdrop of the country’s violent birth in December 1971. It is understood that the demand for “annulment” of the constitution by the ADSM may ultimately become an important input for the commission which is being led by Prof Ali Riaz of Illinois State University.

The 1972 constitution adopted under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been amended on multiple occasions but the constitution has more or less survived all criticisms including the military rules of President Ziaur Rahman and General Hossein Mohammad Ershad. The constitution came into effect on 16 December 1972, a year after Bangladesh was born.

The announcement for the annulment of the present constitution of Bangladesh by the Anti Discrimination Students Movement has turned 31 December into a day of heavy political activities in Dhaka which will also witness a major public meeting by the Islami Chhatra Shibir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami will hold its national council in Suhrawardy Udyan starting in the morning. The last time Islami Chhatra Shibir which faced heavy crackdown during the Hasina era, held an open council meeting was in 2010.

Hindu activists during a protest against the alleged atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, in Karnataka.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Several Indian-Americans plan to hold peaceful rallies in the U.S. capital and Chicago over the next two days to protest the attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh, organisers have said.

The march protesting the ‘Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh’ is being organised by HinduAction near the White House on Monday, December 9, while the ‘Stop the Genocide: Save Hindu Lives in Bangladesh’ is being organised by eminent community leaders in Chicago on Sunday, December 8.

Also read | Centre at Dhaka set on fire, claims ISKCON

“The situation in Bangladesh is not just a regional crisis; it is a humanitarian catastrophe with global implications. Genocide is a crime against humanity. It is the responsibility of the international community to intervene, protect, and prevent further atrocities,” said www.stophindugenocide.org created by Indian-Americans to document the crime against Hindus in Bangladesh over the past several months.

In recent days, the brutality against Hindus has escalated to shocking levels, it said.

Utsav Chakrabarti, executive director of HinduACTion, called on the outgoing Biden-Harris administration to take all possible measures to prevent further escalation of violence by radical Islamists against Hindus in Bangladesh.

The minority Hindu community in Muslim-majority Bangladesh has reportedly faced more than 200 attacks in 50-odd districts following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5.

Image used for representation.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Three Hindu temples were vandalised by a slogan-shouting mob on Friday (November 29, 2024) in Bangladesh’s Chattogram which has witnessed protests and violence since a former ISKCON member was booked under sedition charges.

The attack took place around 2.30 p.m. in the port city’s Harish Chandra Munsef Lane, where the Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, the nearby Shoni Temple, and the Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple were targeted, news portal BDNews24.com reported.

Also Read: 10 temples attacked, Hindu musician Rahul Ananda’s house torched

“A group of several hundred slogan-shouting people threw brickbats at the temples, damaging the Shoni Temple and the gates of the other two temples,” the news portal quoted temple authorities as saying.

Kotwali Police Station chief Abdul Karim confirmed the attack, saying that assailants attempted to damage the temples.

Also Read: Minorities faced 205 attacks after fall of Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh: Hindu groups

Police, however, said the damage to the temples was minimal after the confrontation between the two sides, with both groups throwing brickbats at each other, it added.

Tapan Das, a permanent member of the Shantineshwari Main Temple management committee, told bdnews24.com: “A procession of hundreds arrived after the Juma prayers. They started shouting anti-Hindu and anti-ISKCON slogans.” “We did not obstruct the attackers. When the situation worsened, we called the army, who arrived quickly and helped restore order. All the temple gates were closed before noon. The miscreants arrived unprovoked and carried out the attack,” BDNews24.com said further quoting him.

Spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) of Bangladesh, was arrested in connection with a sedition case on Monday and denied bail on Tuesday.

It triggered protests by Hindu community members in various locations in Bangladesh, including in the capital Dhaka and Chattogram.

On October 30, a sedition case was filed against 19 people, including Das, at Chattogram’s Kotwali Police Station, accusing them of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag in Chattogram’s New Market area during a rally of the Hindu community.

On Tuesday, New Delhi expressed concern over the leader’s arrest and denial of bail, and asked Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minorities.

The week’s anti-Hindu incidents have led to a diplomatic row between the two South Asian neighbours.

India on Friday said the interim government in Bangladesh must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities as it expressed serious concern over the “surge” of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence against Hindus as well as attacks on temples.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament that India has taken serious note of incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh and that it is the primary responsibility of Dhaka to protect the life and liberty of all the citizens, including minorities.

On the other hand, Bangladesh on Friday expressed deep concern over the violent protest at the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and urged New Delhi to ensure the safety of all its diplomatic missions in India.

London:

Bob Blackman, a Conservative Member of Parliament for Harrow East in the United Kingdom condemned the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

Addressing the parliament on Thursday, Mr Blackman showed his concern by the attempt of a High Court in Bangladesh to ban ISKCON from the country.

In a post on X, he attached a video of himself speaking in the parliament and said, “Today, I condemned the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and the imprisonment of Chinmoy Krishna Das. I am also concerned by the attempt in their High Court to rule that ISKCON should be banned from the country. Freedom of religion must be preserved globally.”

Today, I condemned the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and the imprisonment of Chinmoy Krishna Das.

I am also concerned by the attempt in their High Court to rule that #ISKCON should be banned from the country.

Freedom of religion must be preserved globally. pic.twitter.com/eYjWv5cl0Y

— Bob Blackman (@BobBlackman) November 28, 2024

He said that Hindus in Bangladesh are now subject to death, with their spiritual leader being arrested and their houses being burnt. He added that the UK has a responsibility to look into the matter because they had enabled Bangladesh’s independence.

“Now, right now, Mr Speaker, the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, who run Bhaktaventa Manor in Elstree, the largest Hindu temple in this country, in Bangladesh, their spiritual leader is under arrest. Hindus across Bangladesh are being subject literally to death by their houses being burnt, their temples are being burnt. And there was an attempt today in the Bangladesh High Court to rule that ISKCON should be banned from the country. This is a direct attack on Hindus. Now this is a threat from India now to take action. We have a responsibility because we enabled Bangladesh to be free and independent,” he said.

Mr Blackman urged the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to provide an oral statement on the floor of the House to enable them to bring world’s attention to Bangladesh.

“Now whatever the change of government has been in Bangladesh it cannot be acceptable that religious minorities are persecuted in this way. So far we’ve only had a written statement from the FCDO so could the leader enable an oral statement on the floor of this house so we can bring to the world’s attention what is going on in Bangladesh,” he said.

Lucy Powell, Labour and Co-op MP for Manchester Central, echoed Mr Blackman’s views and said that she would ask the Foreign Office to look into the Bangladesh situation.

“He is absolutely right to highlight these issues. We support freedom of religion, belief everywhere, and that includes in Bangladesh. And I will certainly ask the Foreign Office to look into whether they can come forward with a statement about what’s happening to Hindus in Bangladesh,” she said.

ISKCON on Thursday expressed solidarity with priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on charges of sedition for allegedly raising a flag on a stand displaying Bangladesh’s national flag.

In a post on X, ISKCON, Inc. stated, “ISKCON, Inc. stands with Chinmoy Krishna Das. Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of all these devotees.”

Iskcon,Inc. stands with Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das. Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of all these devotees.

— Iskcon,Inc. (@IskconInc) November 28, 2024

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was arrested on charges of sedition for allegedly raising a flag on a stand displaying Bangladesh’s national flag. He was presented before a Chittagong court on Tuesday, which denied his bail plea and remanded him in custody.

The arrest has sparked widespread outrage, with many demanding his immediate release.

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

New Delhi:

In a key address to diplomats in Dhaka on Sunday, Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, called for comprehensive reforms before holding the next general elections. This meeting marked Mr Yunus’ first engagement with the diplomatic community since assuming office on August 8, following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Mr Yunus, a Nobel laureate, took charge amid a volatile political landscape that saw mass protests and violence resulting in the ousting of Ms Hasina. In his address, Yunus outlined the interim government’s roadmap for a stable and democratic Bangladesh, starting with a free, fair, and participatory election.

“We will hold a free, fair participatory election as soon as we can complete our mandate to carry out vital reforms in our election commission, judiciary, civil administration, security forces and media,” he told diplomats, including India’s High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pranay Verma.

Restoring Normalcy 

On August 5, Ms Hasina, aged 76, fled Bangladesh by helicopter to India as protesters overran the streets of Dhaka. Her 15-year rule, marked by allegations of human rights abuses, came to a dramatic end. The weeks leading up to her ousting were bloody, with more than 450 dying during the unrest and several reports of attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community.

The Chief Adviser said restoring law and order in the country is a top priority for his government. “We will be close to normalcy within a short period, with the unwavering support of our people and patriotic armed forces,” Mr Yunus said. “The top priority of the Interim Government would be to bring the law and order situation under control…The armed forces will continue to serve in aid of civil power as long as the situation warrants.”

Reviving Economy 

In addition to political reforms, Mr Yunus spoke about the need for robust economic reforms. The country had suffered under what he described as Ms Hasina’s “brutal dictatorship,” which, according to Mr Yunus, had led to widespread corruption and mismanagement.

“Our government will undertake far-reaching economic reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and sustain growth,” he said.

Mr Yunus accused Sheikh Hasina of systematically destroying the country’s institutions during her 15-year tenure. He alleged that elections under Ms Hasina’s rule were rigged, and democratic rights were suppressed.

“In their efforts to stay in power, Sheikh Hasina’s dictatorship destroyed every institution of the country,” Mr Yunus said. He described the judiciary as broken and accused the former administration of allowing political patronage to rob banks and plunder the state coffers.

The Nobel laureate described the recent mass uprising as a “Second Revolution,” led by students and ordinary citizens who sought to reclaim their democratic rights. 

International Support

In his message to the international community, Mr Yunus called for continued support in rebuilding Bangladesh and transitioning to a fully functional democracy. He assured the diplomats that Bangladesh would maintain its role as a proponent of multilateralism, with the United Nations at the core of its foreign policy.

“We believe all our friends and partners in the international community will stand by our government and people as we chart a new democratic future,” Yunus said.

“Bangladesh stands at the crossroads of a new beginning. Our valiant students and people deserve a lasting transformation of our nation. It is a difficult journey and we need your help along the way. We need to fulfil their aspirations. The sooner the better,” he added.

Mr Yunus also welcomed the United Nations’ decision to send a fact-finding mission to investigate the recent violence, committing to cooperate fully with the international inquiry.

School girls sit in a classroom, in Dhaka, on August 7, 2024, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Bangladesh on Sunday (August 18, 2024) reopened all educational institutions, including universities, secondary schools and colleges, across the country after more than a month of closure due to violence centring the student-led protests that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The educational institutions in Bangladesh were closed indefinitely on July 17 to ensure the safety of students in the wake of clashes that erupted during the recent movement demanding reform of the job quota system.

The Ministry of Education on Thursday (August 15, 2024) issued a directive to reopen the institutions under its jurisdiction. All the educational institutions reopened on Sunday, after a month of closure.

According to Somoy Television, a Bengali news channel based in Dhaka, “All concerned have been asked to take necessary steps to resume academic activities in all the educational institutions from August 18 following the instruction of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus,” a notification signed by Deputy Secretary Mosammat Rahima Akhtar, said on August 15.

In the morning, school students in uniform were seen going to their institutions, many accompanied by guardians, the Daily Star reported.

The 1971 war | The liberation of Bangladesh, 50 years ago

Many points of Dhaka city are witnessing severe traffic congestion due to the reopening of educational institutions. The working week is from Sunday to Thursday in Bangladesh.

Initially, classes were scheduled to resume on August 4 in all government primary schools, except in the 12 city corporations and Narsingdi municipality, but this was also postponed.

Meanwhile, the postponed Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will be resumed from September 11. According to the revised routine, the exams will be completed on October 23.

Classes at public universities have been suspended since July 1 when teachers went on strike in protest of a new pension scheme.

After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, the educational institutions were declared open on August 7, but the academic activities could not be resumed fully due to the low attendance of students.

Nearly 650 people have been killed in the recent unrest in Bangladesh between July 16, 2024, and August 11, 2024, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office has said in a preliminary report — suggesting a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into reports of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions.

According to the 10-page report titled “Preliminary Analysis of Recent Protests and Unrest in Bangladesh”, nearly 400 deaths were reported between July 16 and August 4, while around 250 people were reportedly killed following the new wave of protests between August 5 and 6, leading to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The available public reports by the media and the protest movement itself claimed that between July 16 and August 11, more than 600 people were killed due to the wave of violence following the Anti-Discriminatory Student demonstrations.

The number of reported killings in revenge attacks since that time remains to be determined, the report said that was released on Friday (August 16, 2024) in Geneva.

Several deaths were reported between August 7 and 11, including those who died while undergoing medical treatment for injuries sustained in the violence, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report suggested.

“Those killed include protesters, bystanders, journalists and several security forces personnel”, it said, adding that thousands of protesters and bystanders were injured, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of patients.

The report said the reported death toll was likely an underestimate as information collection faced a hindrance from restrictions on movement due to the curfew and the internet shutdown.

Furthermore, hospitals were reportedly prevented by State authorities from providing details of those killed and injured, the report suggested. Triggered by the reinstatement of a quota system for the allocation of jobs in civil services, the student protests in Bangladesh in mid-June turned violent, with reports of severe human rights violations by security forces.

“There are strong indications, warranting further independent investigation, that the security forces used unnecessary and disproportionate force in their response to the situation,” the report said.

“Additional, alleged violations, that also warrant thorough, impartial and transparent investigations included extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, as well as severe restrictions on the exercise of freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly,” the report said.

There were also reports of looting, arson and attacks on members of religious minorities, as well as reprisals against and revenge killings of members of the former ruling party and police following the resignation of Ms. Hasina on August 5, the report said.

On Thursday (August 15, 2024), mobs armed with bamboo sticks, iron rods and pipes reportedly assaulted the former prime minister’s Awami League Party supporters who had gathered to pay their tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his death anniversary.

The UN report emphasised the importance of rapidly restoring law and order, as well as the need for effective measures to prevent further loss of life, violence and acts of reprisals.

“Law enforcement agencies need to receive clear instructions and training on the use of force, in line with international human rights standards. They must protect populations at risk against any retaliatory or revenge violence, including minority communities,” the report said.

On Friday, UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk underlined the need for accountability for all those responsible for human rights violations and violence, including against religious minorities, in Bangladesh as his office issued the preliminary report.

Calling for a comprehensive, impartial, and transparent investigation into all human rights violations, Mr. Turk also said the transition in the South Asian nation is a historic opportunity to ensure governance is anchored in human rights, inclusivity and the rule of law.

Mr. Turk’s comments came a day after it was announced that a team from his office is slated to visit Bangladesh next week to investigate the killings of the protesters ahead of and in the aftermath of Hasina’s resignation as the prime minister on August 5.

“The transition ahead presents a historic opportunity to reform and revitalise the country’s institutions, to restore fundamental freedoms and civic space, and to give all in Bangladesh a part in building the future,” the High Commissioner said.

Bangladesh descended into chaos after Hasina fled to India on August 5. Before that, the anti-government protests had killed more than 500 people since mid-July.

Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on August 8 as the Chief Adviser of the interim government after he was chosen by President Mohammed Shahabuddin following the dissolution of the Parliament, a decision prompted by a demand by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance said the minority community faced attacks and threats in 278 locations across 48 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, terming it as an “assault on the Hindu religion”.

Several Hindu temples, homes, and businesses of the minority community in Bangladesh were destroyed this month amidst the unrest.

“The High Commissioner (Turk) also welcomed the initiative by various student organisations, faith leaders, and other people forming groups to protect minorities and religious sites belonging to minority communities,” the statement said and acknowledged that the interim government has also strongly condemned these acts.

Mr. Turk welcomed the release of thousands of detainees and longer-term political prisoners – including some victims of enforced disappearance – and urged the release of all those arbitrarily detained.

The report has detailed the situation with background and gives specific recommendations to all the political actors, the interim government, and the international community “to address the present situation in the country that has resulted from the demonstrations and events detailed in the report.” However, long-term comprehensive legal and institutional reforms will be needed, it said.

The High Commissioner also announced that a team would visit Dhaka next week to explore areas in which the UN Human Rights Office can support the transition.

New Delhi:

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus – who last week took oath as head of Bangladesh’s interim government – has heaped praise on students who spearheaded protests against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “There is no doubt… because of the student-led revolution the whole government collapsed…” Mr Yunus told reporters after a Sunday night meet with the students.

“I said (to the students), ‘I respect you… I admire you. What you have done is absolutely unparalleled… and because you ordered me to do this (to take charge of the interim administration) I accept…’,” Mr Yunus said, recounting part of the conversation he had with the students.

Two of the student protesters – Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud – are part of a 16-member advisory council that was sworn in with Mr Yunus. The 84-year-old won the 2006 Nobel Peace prize for his work in microfinance and setting up the Grameen Bank, which works for community development.

READ | Md Yunus Takes Oath As Head Of Bangladesh Interim Government

Mr Yunus has also stressed the wave of resignations of high-ranking public officials, including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and head of Bangladesh’s central bank, was “conducted legally”.

They had reportedly been issued ultimatums to quit.

READ | Why Bangladesh Chief Justice, Sheikh Hasina Loyalist, Was Forced To Quit

“They want to have a new court,” he said of the students. “So they went there and asked the chief justice to resign and put their pressure to make him resign.”

“I’m sure they will find the legal way to justify all of this, because legally… all the steps were followed,” he said. His office only agreed to publish these quotes Monday evening.

“The Monster Is Gone”

“Finally, this moment, the monster is gone,” Mr Yunus also said, referring to Ms Hasina’s departure and the end of what her critics said was an autocratic rule that stifled all dissent. 

However, Mr Yunus warned the interim government that public goodwill is a limited resource and that they would face many difficult decisions ahead. “The moment you start taking decisions, some people will like your decisions, some people will not like your decisions,” he said. “…that’s the way it works.”

Interim Bangladesh Government

The interim government was formed after Bangladesh witnessed weeks of violence and clashes – triggered by protests over a jobs quota – forced Ms Hasina, a five-time PM, to resign and flee.

READ | Explained: How Gen Z Women And Military Transformed Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina left the Prime Minister’s residence in Dhaka – hours before it was overrun – and flew to India in a Bangladeshi military aircraft. The 76-year-old, seen as a key ally of New Delhi, remains in an undisclosed location amid reports she will seek political asylum, possibly in the United Kingdom.

Following Ms Hasina’s departure Md Yunus – who faced multiple corruption charges under the previous government and was in Europe while Sheikh Hasina was in power – was picked by the protesting to oversee democratic reforms.

His first act after being administered an oath of office – and taking the title of ‘chief advisor’ – was to lead a solemn tribute to the more than 450 people who died in the protests.

READ | Muhammad Yunus Honours Heroes, First Act As Bangladesh Interim Leader

It is unclear when Bangladesh will hold an election to select a new Prime Minister. Whenever that is, Mrs Hasina is likely to return to contest, her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy told The Times of India. “She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election,” he said.

India Extends “Best Wishes”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his best wishes to Mr Yunus,

READ |PM Extends Best Wishes To Yunus, “Hopes For Safety Of Hindus”

“We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development,” he wrote on X. 

READ | How Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster Affects India-Bangladesh Ties

With the change of guard in neighbouring Bangladesh, the Indian government now faces a diplomatic dilemma, even as China was also swift to welcome Dhaka’s new authorities, saying it “attaches importance to the development” of relations.

With input from agencies

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