Yunus Blasts Hasina’s Rule as ‘Brutal Dictatorship,’ Vows Reforms and Fair Elections

 

Yunus Blasts Hasina’s Rule as ‘Brutal Dictatorship,’ Vows Reforms and Fair Elections

Dhaka, August 18 - PTI

Bangladesh's interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, has sharply criticised Sheikh Hasina’s tenure as a "brutal dictatorship," claiming it dismantled the nation’s institutions and rigged elections over the past fifteen years. In his first briefing to foreign diplomats, ten days after assuming office as Chief Advisor of the interim government following Hasina's resignation and flight to India, Yunus called for international support to reconstruct Bangladesh after what he described as a "Second Revolution."

 

Yunus, an 84-year-old Nobel laureate, assured diplomats, including India's High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pranay Verma, that his administration is committed to organising "free, fair, and participatory" elections once it has fulfilled its mandate to implement essential reforms. He emphasised the need for deep structural changes to transform the country into a thriving democracy.

 

Hasina, 76, resigned and fled to India on August 5 amid a major student-led protest against a controversial government job quota system. Yunus was sworn in as Chief Advisor on August 8.

 

In his address, Yunus accused Hasina’s regime of systematically destroying Bangladesh’s institutions, undermining the judiciary, and suppressing democratic rights over the past decade and a half. He described the country as being in "complete mess" after Hasina's departure and outlined a broad agenda for reforming the election commission, judiciary, civil administration, security forces, and media.

 

Yunus promised to address issues related to electoral fraud and economic mismanagement that marked Hasina’s rule, including allegations of corruption and abuse of power. He also pledged to prioritize national reconciliation, good governance, and combating corruption.

 

The interim government, according to Yunus, will work to stabilize law and order with the support of the armed forces and ensure the protection of all religious and ethnic groups, amidst a recent rise in violence against Hindu communities. Efforts will also be directed towards securing justice for victims of the recent uprisings and upholding international legal standards.