Dr. Yunus: A portrait of self-interest and deception

By Aminul Hoque Polashย 

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, widely known for his microfinance initiatives, has often been celebrated as a visionary. However, a closer examination of his actions reveals a more troubling pictureโ€”one marked by self-interest, manipulation, and a willingness to deflect accountability. This op-ed argues that Dr. Yunus prioritises personal gain over ethical responsibility, using others as shields to protect himself from scrutiny.

Dr. Yunus oversees approximately 50 institutions under the Grameen banner. Allegations of financial irregularities and corruption within these organisations have repeatedly surfaced, yet Dr. Yunus has consistently distanced himself from responsibility. Individuals such as Md. Ashraful Hasan, Md. Nazmul Islam, Md. Shahjahan and Nurjahan Begum have been positioned to bear the brunt of these accusations. These individuals, often rewarded with high salaries, luxurious homes, and vehicles, appear to serve as scapegoats for decisions ultimately controlled by Dr. Yunus. For instance, Nurjahan Begum was appointed as an advisor, and many institutional decisions are formalised under their signature, creating the impression that they, not Dr. Yunus, is accountable. Yet, insiders suggest that no significant action within these institutions occurs without his explicit approval.

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Court proceedings further illustrate this pattern. In a labour court case that resulted in Dr. Yunusโ€™s conviction, his legal team argued that any wrongdoing was committed without his knowledge, attributing blame to subordinates. Similarly, in a personal tax evasion case, Dr. Yunus publicly claimed that the fault lay with his lawyers, not himself. These instances reflect a consistent strategy of deflecting responsibility onto others.

Recent events reinforce this narrative. During a trip to a United Nations session, Dr. Yunus was accompanied by representatives from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Jamaat-e-Islami. This decision appears strategic, aimed at diverting domestic and international criticism toward his political allies. While Dr. Yunus travelled with a high level of security, those around him faced the brunt of public discontent, particularly from expatriate communities. His reported meeting with Tarique Rahman in Britain further suggests an attempt to shift accountability for the challenges facing his interim government, which critics argue has contributed to national instability.

The BNPโ€™s apparent willingness to align with Dr. Yunus, as evidenced by public interactions with leaders like Mirza Fakhrul, raises questions about their role in shouldering his burdens.

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Dr. Yunusโ€™s public statements also reveal a calculated effort to avoid accountability. Before assuming the role of chief advisor, he claimed that students were his โ€œemployersโ€ and that he had no involvement in the movement that brought him to power. At a Clinton Global Initiative event during last yearโ€™s UN session, he introduced Mahfuj Alam as the mastermind behind the July-August movement, distancing himself from its consequences. His brief suggestion of resignation during his tenure appears to have been a tactical move to further insulate himself from criticism.

This pattern of behaviour is not new. Dr. Yunusโ€™s first wife, Vera Forostenco, reportedly ended their seven-year marriage after recognising what she perceived as his duplicity. Taking their three-month-old daughter, Monica, she returned to the United States and severed contact with him, despite having relocated to Bangladesh for their marriage. This personal anecdote aligns with a broader perception among those familiar with Dr. Yunus that his public persona masks a more self-serving character.

For years, Dr. Yunusโ€™s carefully curated image as a benevolent figure obscured these concerns. However, public awareness of his actions has grown over the past year, and as more details emerge, his reputation may face further scrutiny. If Dr. Yunus is held accountable for his role in national challenges, he will likely claim he was merely a bystander, uninvolved in the decisions that led to unrest. He may point to his absence in France during the July-August movement or argue that he assumed power at the behest of others.

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It is my hope that Dr. Yunus lives long enough for his actions to be fully examined in a transparent and lawful manner. A fair trial, conducted under the countryโ€™s legal framework, would serve as a powerful deterrent to those who might prioritise personal ambition over the well-being of the nation. The people of Bangladesh deserve accountability, and history should judge Dr. Yunus not by his accolades but by his actions.

Aminul Hoque Polash is a former government official and an analyst specialising in anti-corruption and security issues.

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