A scathing new report titled Bangladesh: Yunus and Assault on History, published by the Global Centre for Democratic Governance (GCDG), has ignited fresh debate over the legacy of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration.
Released on January 10, the 312-page volume, edited by Syed Badrul Ahsan, J.M. Chowdhury, and S.M. Masum Billah, compiles analyses from scholars and contributors who argue that Yunus’s unelected government has orchestrated a deliberate erosion of Bangladesh’s foundational principles. In the preface, authored by Ahsanโa noted biographer, journalist, and analyst of South Asian politicsโthe text paints a picture of a nation in existential crisis, likening the current regime to historical forces that undermined the 1971 Liberation War.
Syed Badrul Ahsan describes Yunus’ rise to power in August 2024 as a “meticulously designed conspiracy” that has mutated Bangladesh into a “playground for anarchists and fascists” who are undoing the Liberation War ideals.
He traces the roots of this upheaval back to entrenched elements within organisations like the Chhatra League and Jubo League, allegedly infiltrated by anti-national forces from groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Foreign influences, including the Biden administration and historical US figures like Henry Kissinger, are implicated in a long-standing plot echoing the 1975 assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation.
What began as a quota reform movement was hijacked by “anti-national elements,” leading to widespread anarchy. Ahsan highlights the unexplained use of military-grade 7.62 bullets during protests and the regime’s failure to address them. Since taking office, Yunus’ government has engaged in a “systematic, carefully orchestrated assault on the state,” compromising institutions, hounding professionals, and instilling fear among democratic adherents. The dissolution of the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) in August 2024 is cited as a prime act of illegitimacy, enabling reforms without constitutional validity.
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The report delves into specific grievances, including the “farcical” trial of Sheikh Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD), described as a “judicial theatre” lacking credibility and driven by retributive judges. It laments the banning of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League as indicative of anti-national characteristics, alongside the removal of Bangabandhu’s images from public spaces and currency. The GCDG decries attacks on cultural symbols, such as the vandalism of Jahanara Imam’s works at the Bangla Academy and the demolition of Bangabandhu’s home-museum in Dhanmondi. Religious minorities, particularly Hindus, are portrayed as victims of unchecked violence, with the regime accused of turning a blind eye to assaults on temples and homes.
The report portrays economic and social decay, noting a “steep and deep slide” in the economy, with banking chaos, rising inflation, and mob violence damaging businesses. Human rights regressions, including arbitrary arrests, impunity for protestors, and dual-citizen advisers tampering with the constitution, are scrutinised.
Journalist Syed Badrul Ahsan warns of rising religious extremism, authoritarianism, and foreign policy missteps, such as growing closeness to Pakistan and strained relations with India, which he attributes to US “Deep State” influences.
Can Bangladesh survive the erasure of its own history?
Ahsan calls for a reinvention of resistance akin to the 1971 liberation struggle, urging democratic forces to reclaim the state from “barbarians” who have commandeered it through mob rule. He emphasises the need to reassert liberal democracy based on Bengali nationalism, nipping Islamist threats in the bud.
GCDG, the publisher, positions itself as a watchdog for democratic governance, with its website featuring articles like “Assault on Bangladesh’s Economy and the Role of Prof. Yunus” and reports on minority violence. The organisation has documented over 2,000 attacks on Hindu properties between August 4 and 20, 2024, across 45 districts, aligning with the book’s narrative of security failures under Yunus.
The report amplifies calls for accountability. “The goal is clear. It is one of taking back the country from the evil grip of those who have stolen it,” Syed Badrul Ahsan concludes with a rallying cry.
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