Whose Country Comes First—Public Interest or Personal Gain?

Following a massive public uprising that led to the fall of the government, Nobel laureate economist responded to calls from movement leaders and took charge of the interim government. He described his role as a mission to “rescue the country,” which inspired hope across the nation. Many believed that under his leadership, Bangladesh would shine more brightly on the global stage, improve the dignity of its people, and unlock long-blocked opportunities.

However, from August 8, 2024, when he assumed office, to February 12, 2026, when power was handed over through elections, questions have emerged about how much of those expectations were fulfilled during his roughly one-and-a-half-year tenure.

An investigation into this period has brought forward several concerns, particularly regarding governance, transparency, and possible conflicts of interest.

One of the most discussed issues is the approval of Grameen University, an initiative of the Grameen Trust founded by . The university reportedly received approval within just three months of application, while at least 22 other private university applications had remained pending for years. This unusually fast approval has raised questions about fairness and consistency in the approval process.

Investigations also suggest that several benefits were granted to institutions linked to the Grameen network. Notably, Grameen Bank was reportedly given a five-year income tax exemption, which could result in the government losing a significant amount of revenue. In addition, there are allegations of substantial tax waivers involving Grameen-affiliated entities.

Furthermore, it is alleged that multiple legal cases involving were resolved during his time in office. Questions have also been raised about the rapid approval of licenses, including that of a recruiting agency and an e-wallet service named “Samadhan Services Limited,” all of which reportedly occurred after he assumed power.

According to available information, these institutions are associated with the Grameen Trust founded by Yunus. Although he reportedly stepped down from these organizations before taking the oath of office due to legal requirements, he later resumed involvement after leaving his position. Legal experts argue that gaining such benefits during or around the period of holding office raises concerns about the misuse of power.

Speaking on the issue, Supreme Court senior lawyer stated that individuals responsible for running the state must take an oath to avoid any conflict between personal interests and national interest. He added that holding any profit-generating position is generally prohibited while serving in such high offices.

He further said that as the head of the interim government, was expected to act impartially. “There has been significant political criticism regarding actions taken during his tenure. Allegations suggest that the position may have been used in ways that created conflicts of interest,” he noted, adding that such issues deserve proper scrutiny.

The approval of Grameen University within such a short time, while many other applications remained pending for years, has been a key point of controversy from the beginning.

According to the Private University Act, 2010, establishing a university in a metropolitan area like Dhaka requires a minimum reserve fund of Tk 5 crore. However, the approval letter for Grameen University reportedly mentioned a requirement of Tk 1.5 crore, raising questions about inconsistency with the law.

When asked, officials from the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC), both current and former, could not provide clear explanations. Some said they were no longer in relevant positions, while others claimed they could not recall the matter. On the other hand, the university authorities stated that they complied with government instructions and that the institution is a non-profit initiative aimed at social development.

Typically, the approval of a private university involves a lengthy and complex process. However, in this case, the unusually fast approval, confusion over legal requirements, and the backlog of pending applications have raised serious questions about transparency and fairness in the overall process.

What began as a period of high public expectation has now led to an important question—were decisions truly made in the interest of the country, or have they instead sparked ongoing controversy?