Yunus's Year: Bangladesh's Descent Into Hate And Extremism

News18

3 days ago

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The promise of democratic renewal has been eclipsed by division, persecution, and a troubling tolerance for extremism, threatening the nation's secular and pluralistic foundations
When Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate, became Chief Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government in August 2024, expectations were high that his leadership would stabilise the nation after Sheikh Hasina's ousting. Renowned for his microcredit work, Yunus was seen as a harbinger of reform. Yet, one year later, Bangladesh faces a grim reality of rising hate, Islamic extremism, targeted attacks on Hindus, and questionable global alliances.
Far from a golden era, Yunus's tenure has coincided with a surge in communal violence, with over 2,000 documented attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, since Hasina's departure, according to a local minority rights organisation. Temples, homes, and businesses have been vandalised, and figures like ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das face sedition charges for advocating minority rights, signalling a crackdown on dissent.
Yunus's dismissal of these incidents as 'exaggerated propaganda" has drawn sharp criticism, with a UN report confirming widespread mob violence against Hindus, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and indigenous groups. The administration's failure to curb extremist elements, including the registration of a previously banned Islamist party as a political entity, has emboldened radical forces.
Surge in Communal Violence Against Hindus
Since Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership in August 2024, Bangladesh has seen a sharp rise in communal violence targeting its Hindu minority, who comprise about 8 per cent of the population. A minority rights organisation has documented over 2,000 attacks on Hindus, including the destruction of 69 temples, nine deaths, and widespread looting of Hindu-owned businesses and homes. Reports describe incidents such as the burning of Hindu villages in Chittagong and the desecration of religious idols in Dhaka.
The arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in November 2024, charged with sedition for leading protests demanding protections for minorities, underscores the government's harsh stance toward dissent. The violence surged after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, with mobs exploiting the political vacuum to target vulnerable communities. This has displaced thousands of Hindus, many fleeing to India, straining bilateral ties.
Critics argue that Yunus's administration has failed to deploy sufficient security or pursue prosecutions, creating a perception of tacit complicity. The lack of decisive action has fuelled fears of a systematic campaign to marginalise minorities, threatening Bangladesh's social cohesion and raising questions about the interim government's commitment to protecting all citizens equally.
Rise of Islamic Extremism
Yunus's interim government has been criticised for enabling a resurgence of Islamic extremist groups, undermining Bangladesh's secular identity. The registration of a previously banned Islamist party as a political entity in late 2024 has sparked widespread alarm.
Reports highlight the growing influence of radical groups, exemplified by the forced cancellation of a Sufi cultural festival in Kushtia due to threats from Islamist factions. Investigations indicate that student-led protests in 2024, initially sparked by job quota disputes, were infiltrated by radical elements, with the government failing to curb their influence. The release of over 50 individuals facing terror-related charges, including members of banned organisations, has further heightened concerns. These developments suggest a growing tolerance for extremist ideologies, reminiscent of past incidents like the 2016 café attack that killed 22 people.
The administration's lenient approach has raised fears that Bangladesh could become a hub for militancy, threatening both domestic stability and regional security, as radical rhetoric gains traction without sufficient oversight or intervention.
Denial and Inaction on Minority Persecution
Yunus's dismissal of minority attacks as 'exaggerated propaganda" during a December 2024 press conference has drawn sharp criticism from international and local observers. A UN report from February 2025 documented 'systematic mob violence" against Hindus, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and indigenous communities, contradicting Yunus's claims. The report detailed over 1,500 cases of arson, assault, and property destruction, with police often absent or complicit.
Critics have noted the government's failure to establish an independent commission to investigate these incidents, with only 3 per cent of reported cases leading to arrests. The detention of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das without bail has become a focal point of outrage, with global leaders highlighting Bangladesh's shrinking democratic space. The administration's inaction has fostered a climate of impunity, allowing perpetrators to act without fear of consequences.
This failure to address minority persecution undermines Bangladesh's constitutional commitment to secularism and pluralism, risking further alienation of its diverse communities and eroding public trust in the interim government's ability to uphold justice.
Problematic Global Alliances
Yunus's foreign policy has raised alarms about Bangladesh's shifting alignments, particularly its growing closeness with Pakistan and China, which has coincided with a deteriorating relationship with India.
Since August 2024, the interim government has pursued stronger ties with Pakistan, marked by high-level diplomatic exchanges and trade discussions, despite historical tensions rooted in the 1971 Liberation War. Simultaneously, Bangladesh has deepened its economic and military cooperation with China, including agreements on infrastructure projects and arms purchases, as noted in regional analyses. These moves have strained ties with India, a traditional ally, which has expressed concerns over Bangladesh's reluctance to address cross-border security issues, including the refusal to extradite terror suspects.
The interim government's silence on smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border has further exacerbated tensions. A US report highlighting Bangladesh as a potential conduit for terror financing has intensified scrutiny of Yunus's 'pragmatic diplomacy," which critics argue prioritises alliances with Islamist-leaning and geopolitically contentious actors over regional stability. This shift risks isolating India, a key economic and security partner, while emboldening Pakistan and China, whose influence could undermine Bangladesh's non-aligned stance. The administration's failure to balance these relationships threatens to destabilise South Asia, raising questions about its commitment to fostering cooperative regional dynamics.
The author teaches journalism at St Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views.
tags :
bangladesh China communal violence Minority Rights Muhammad Yunus pakistan
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Location :
Dhaka, Bangladesh
First Published:
August 13, 2025, 10:03 IST
News opinion Opinion | Yunus's Year: Bangladesh's Descent Into Hate And Extremism
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