Muhammad Yunus rules out role in next Bangladesh govt, recalls seeking PM Modi's help to curb Hasina's remarks
Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday, June 11, ruled out his role in the next Bangladesh government after 2026 elections, the first since a mass uprising overthrew the government.
Speaking in London, Muhammad Yunus, asked if he himself was seeking any political post, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner said there was 'no way', waving his hands in the air for emphasis.
'No way, no way. I think no one of our cabinet members (Council of Advisers) would like to do that,' he said, adding, 'Our job is to make sure that the transition is managed well, and that people are happy when we hand over power to the elected government.'
'So we want to make sure that the election is right, that is a very critical factor for us. If the election is wrong, this thing will never be solved again.'
Muhammad Yunus also recalled the time when he sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's help in stopping former PM Sheikh Hasina from making political statements.
Ousted on August 5 last year after a massive student-led agitation, Sheikh Hasina faces multiple cases in Bangladesh. She fled Bangladesh and landed in India after the massive uprising that saw hundreds storming her official residence.
Since Muhammad Yunus took over, the interim government has been trying to extradite Sheikh Hasina from India.
'This will continue, another stage has come, now there is a case. The International Crimes Tribunal has started the trial process; they sent notices to Hasina for all the crimes she has committed. So, they have to respond to the notices,' he said.
'This is a legal notice, so we have to go to the Interpol and all the other things that happen through that. This is the process that we are following; we want it to be very legal, very proper.'
Muhammad Yunus said he sought PM Modi's help when the two held a bilateral meeting at Bimstec Summit in Bangkok in April 2025.
He said, 'When I had a chance to talk to Prime Minister Modi, I simply said you want to host her, I cannot force you to abandon that policy. But please help us in making sure she doesn't speak to Bangladeshi people the way she is doing.'
'She announces on such and such day and at such and such hour she will speak, and the whole of Bangladesh gets very angry,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
11 hours ago
- The Print
Mamata writes to Modi, seeks international pressure on B'desh govt for vandalism of Tagore property
Expressing her anguish over the incident, Banerjee urged Modi to 'take up the matter very strongly with the neighbouring country's government, so that no stone is left unturned to swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous and mindless act'. What was damaged is not just a house but a 'towering fountain of creativity' in the subcontinent, she said in the letter. Kolkata, Jun 12 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention into the alleged vandalisation of Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral mansion in Banglaesh's Sirajganj district by a mob on June 11. According to local reports, the attack on the Nobel Laureate poet's ancestral residence was a follow-up of a June 8 dispute over the parking fee for a two-wheeler between a visitor and staff member of the Rabindra Kachharibari in Sirajganj which also doubles up as the Rabindra Memorial Museum. 'Although untold damage has already been done, a strong international protest would at least deter in future any attack on monuments of cultural legacies that have withstood steadfastly all tests of time,' Banerjee wrote in the letter, while adding: Tagore is famous not only in Bengal but also in the whole world. Reports in Bangladeshi media have stated that the Department of Archeology has temporarily suspended visitor access to the building and set up a three-member committee to probe the incident. 'Tagore frequented the place repeatedly in his lifetime, and many of his finest works were conceived or written while he was there,' Banerjee stated. 'The poet's creativity was intertwined with his association with this ancestral estate of theirs in an intimate manner. What has been vandalised is not a mere house, but a towering fountain of creativity in our subcontinent,' she continued. Local reports in Bangladesh suggested that what began as a minor dispute escalated quickly after the visitor was allegedly locked inside a room and physically assaulted, sparking anger among locals. A mob later stormed inside the museum premises and ransacked the building, especially its auditorium while also allegedly assaulting the director of the institution. 'For the people of Bengal, this attack is an onslaught on the commonly held legacy of Tagore… To strike at the ancestral traditional roots of Tagore today tantamounts to striking at the roots of immortal creations of the great poet intrinsically bonding the brothers and sisters of the world,' the chief minister wrote in her letter. Located in Shahzadpur in the Rajshahi division, the Kachharibari served as the Tagore family's revenue office and residence. Purchased by Rabindranath's grandfather Dwarakanath Tagore in 1840, the premises worked as a favourite recluse for the Nobel laureate who wrote many of his notable literary works at this site. Tagore's celebrated works from the Sirajgunj Kachharibari include plays like 'Bisarjan', poetry collection 'Sonar Tori' and several shorties of 'Golpoguchho'. The BJP has already slammed the Md Yunus government alleging that the destruction was a 'preplanned attack' by radical groups, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh. PTI SMY NN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- The Hindu
India condemns vandalism at Tagore's ancestral home in Bangladesh
India on Thursday (June 12, 2025) 'strongly' condemned the vandalisation of the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh's Sirajganj district. Addressing the weekly press briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said the attack was part of a 'broad pattern' of assaults on the pluralist culture of Bangladesh. 'We strongly condemn the despicable attack and vandalisation of the ancestral home of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore by a mob on June 8, 2025. The home, historically called Rabindra Kachharibari, is located in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. The violent act is a disgrace to the memory and the inclusive philosophy and teachings that the Nobel Laureate espoused in Bangladesh,' Mr. Jaiswal said. Bangladesh has witnessed a deterioration in law and order in recent month, with mobs targeting homes of prominent leaders. On February 5 this year, a mob destroyed the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at 32 Dhanmondi, an address historically associated with Bangladesh's liberation movement. The June 8 attack on the rural ancestral home of the Tagore family reportedly followed a similar pattern, with a group of arsonists vandalising the property. Following the incident, the interim government has suspended public access to the heritage site. After its independence, Bangladesh adopted 'Amar Shonar Bangla', composed by Rabindranath Tagore, as its national anthem. Mr. Jaiswal further said, 'The attack falls in the broad pattern of systematic attempts by extremists to erase the symbols of tolerance, and eviscerate the syncretic culture and the cultural legacy of Bangladesh.' He urged the Bangladeshi authorities to rein in extremist elements and 'take strict action against the perpetrators to prevent recurrence of such incidents that sadly have become a repetitive feature'.
NDTV
12 hours ago
- NDTV
"Deeply Saddened": Italy PM On Plane Crash In Ahmedabad
New Delhi: Condolences are pouring in from across the world after a London-bound Air India aircraft carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, crashed near Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat on Thursday. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, are among the several world leaders who have offered condolences to India in this hour of loss. In a post on X, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said, "Deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. On behalf of the Italian Government and myself, I express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and our full solidarity with the Indian people in this moment of great sorrow." The Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh expressed shock at the accident and said that Bangladesh joins in prayers and stands with India in this difficult hour. "Shocked at the tragic crash of #AirIndia flight carrying 242 passengers in Ahmedabad. We join all in prayers for the bereaved ones and their families. #Bangladesh stands in solidarity with people and government of #India at this trying time." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Europe stands with India in this moment of sorrow. "Heartbreaking news from India with the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss. We share your pain. Dear @narendramodi, Europe stands in solidarity with you and the people of India in this moment of sorrow." Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that Sri Lanka stands with India in this moment of deep sorrow. "I am deeply saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 near Ahmedabad today. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of all those affected onboard. Equally heartbreaking are the civilian casualties on the ground, including young medical students whose lives and futures were struck by this tragedy. At this moment of deep sorrow, the people of Sri Lanka stand in solidarity with India. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted." The Embassy of Iran expressed heartfelt condolences and offered prayers. The Embassy also wished for swift recovery of the injured and underscored that Iran stands with India in this time of sorrow. "The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of #Iran in New Delhi expresses its deepest sorrow and heartfelt condolences over the tragic crash of a passenger aircraft in #Ahmedabad. We extend our sympathies to the Government and people of #India, especially to the bereaved families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. We also wish a swift and full recovery to all those who have been injured in this heartbreaking incident. We stand with the people of India in this moment of sorrow" The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan offered condolences on the accident. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. We extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected. We hope for strength and healing in the days ahead", it wrote on X. According to an Air India statement, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171, departed from Ahmedabad at 1:38 pm IST with 242 people on board, including crew. "The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information," the airline said in a statement. Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran confirmed the crash and expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims. "With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event," he said in a statement. Boeing said on Thursday that it is in contact with Air India regarding the AI-171 flight with 242 passengers and 12 crew bound for London's Gatwick airport, which crashed shortly after it took off in the Meghaninagar area in Ahmedabad. The official X handle of US planemaker Boeing said, "We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected." Air India posted on X that the Boeing Dreamliner 787 flight was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian and seven Portuguese. The flight crashed in a residential area at 1:39 pm (IST) after taking off from the Ahmedabad-Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport here. Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it is in contact with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding Air India flight AI171
