Yunus buys peace with poll announcement
After much prodding from Bangladesh's political parties and the military, interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has made an announcement that a general election will be held sometime in April 2026. He has still not set a firm date, saying April was chosen after a review of reforms in justice, governance, and the electoral process. Yunus's announcement clearly went against the call from the army and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), currently the main political force, to hold the election by the end of the year. The BNP has listed sound reasons against holding the election in April, including the onset of both summer and the Islamic month of Ramzan, while the military has made it clear that an elected government needs to be in place to decide on crucial issues that aren't within the remit of the caretaker administration.
Yunus's decision will allow him to cling to office for nearly a year and execute his so-called reforms. The decision also appeared to be aimed at helping the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) to strengthen itself for entering the electoral battlefield. Bangladesh's interim government had three crucial mandates when it took over last August after the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina regime — justice, reform, and elections. On the first, the administration has taken some credible steps to address the fallout of authoritarianism during the final years of Awami League rule and to hold to account those responsible for a widespread crackdown on dissenters. On the second, its focus appears to be more on erasing the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Awami League's contributions to the liberation of Bangladesh. The jury is still out on whether Yunus will deliver on his promise of holding free and fair elections.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
In Id speech, Yunus revives July Proclamation that was planned by students to 'bury' Bangladesh's 1972 constitution
In his Id speech delivered on Friday, the Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh, Prof. Mohammed Yunus announced that the next national election will be held in April 2026. However, he announced the country would witness the launch of the 'July Proclamation', a document that he said was 'agreed upon by all parties'. The July Proclamation was earlier planned by student activists to 'bury' the constitution of Bangladesh, as it is linked to the founder of Bangladesh and Awami League co-founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 'The students who led and participated in the July Uprising have announced plans to issue a July Declaration. They invited me to be part of it. I suggested that it would be more meaningful if the declaration is issued jointly — by all political leaders, civil society representatives and others. This Charter is a promise,' Mr. Yunus said in the speech, where he did not mention the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose images were dropped from the new currency notes printed by the interim government last week. It was reported by The Hindu that the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, that led the uprising against then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, announced in a press conference on December 29, 2024, that they wanted to 'bury' the 1972 constitution of Bangladesh and launch the 'July Proclamation' in a public meeting on December 31, 2024, at the Shahid Minar of Dhaka. The students paused the plan at the last moment after the military reportedly intervened, fearing that replacing the constitution with a charter drawn from the July-August uprising would have destabilised Bangladesh further. However, in the Id speech, Mr. Yunus indicated that the July Proclamation that was to be launched by the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement has said this time the 'July Proclamation' will 'include a list of reform proposals, agreed upon by all parties, aimed at building a welfare-oriented state. By signing it, the parties will pledge to implement these reforms.' He, however, did not specify the legal validity of such a charter overseen by an interim administration. The timing of the speech drew attention as it came days after Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman and the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) criticised the government for being slow in holding the promised election and demanded that the election must be held by December 2025. The BNP has not yet expressed its opinion on whether it would sign the July Proclamation that Mr. Yunus mentioned in his speech. Soon after the speech, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the largest overground political party, held a meeting in the party headquarters in Gulshan neighbourhood and opposed the idea of holding elections in April 2026. However, Mr. Yunus argued that 'free, transparent and peaceful election to pave the way for transfer of power' can take place only after ensuring justice for the killings of agitators during July-August 2024. 'We are confident that visible progress will be made in the delivery of justice for these actions by that time,' Mr. Yunus said, indicating the verdicts in the cases related to the police action in last year's uprising will be completed before April 2026.
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
Mutual Respect, Understanding Will Continue To Guide Our Nations: Bangladeshs Chief Advisor Appreciates PM Modis Message On Eid al-Adha
Bangladesh's Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, has expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greetings and message on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. He also expressed confidence that the spirit of mutual respect and understanding would continue to guide the two nations in working together for the well-being of the people of India and Bangladesh. "I deeply appreciate your thoughtful message, kind greetings and warm wishes on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, which reflects the shared values between our two countries. I also would like to convey my warmest greetings to you, and through you, to the people of India on this auspicious occasion," Yunus wrote in a letter to PM Modi on June 6. Yunus shared his letter and PM Modi's letter on X. He called Eid al-Adha a time of reflection that brings communities together in the spirit of festivity, generosity, unity, and sacrifice. He wished PM Modi and the people of India good health, happiness, peace, progress, and prosperity. "Eid-ul-Azha is a time of reflection, which brings communities together in the spirit of festivity, sacrifice, generosity and unity, and inspires us all to work together for the greater benefits of the people across the world. I am confident that the spirit of mutual respect and understanding will continue to guide our nations to work together for the well-being of our peoples. On this blessed occasion, I wish you, Excellency, good health and happiness and the people of India peace, progress, and prosperity," he wrote in a letter to PM Modi. His response came after PM Modi extended wishes to Yunus and the people of Bangladesh on Eid al-Adha on June 4 and termed the festival an "integral part of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India." He noted that millions of Muslims in India celebrate Eid al-Adha with immense joy and brotherhood. In the letter to Yunus, he stated, "On behalf of the people and the Government of India, I convey warm greetings to you and the people of Bangladesh on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Adha. This holy festival is an integral part of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India and is celebrated with immense joy and fervour by millions of people of Islamic faith across the country. It reminds us of the timeless values of sacrifice, compassion and brotherhood, which are essential in building a peaceful and inclusive world. I take this opportunity to extend my best wishes for your good health and well-being." Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. The day is marked by prayers, charitable acts, and the ritual sacrifice of animals, with a message of sharing and empathy at its core. Earlier in April, PM Modi met Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok and reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. PM Modi underlined India's concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the Bangladesh government would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against them, according to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release. In a press release, MEA stated, "Prime Minister reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. Enunciating India's people-centric approach to the relationship, Prime Minister highlighted that cooperation between the two countries has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries. He underlined India's desire to forge a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on pragmatism." "Prime Minister urged that rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided. On the border, strict enforcement of the law and prevention of illegal border crossings, especially at night, are necessary for maintaining border security and stability. Bilateral mechanism could meet as appropriate to review and take forward our ties," it added. PM Modi expressed his conviction that all issues of mutual interest between India and Bangladesh would continue to be addressed and resolved bilaterally through constructive discussions, in the interest of their long-standing and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
3 hours ago
- First Post
Spirit of mutual respect will guide India-Bangladesh cooperation, says Yunus
The spirit of mutual respect and understanding will continue to guide India and Bangladesh in working for people's welfare, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. read more In a letter responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Eid-ul-Adha greetings, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said that the spirit of mutual respect and understanding between the two neighbouring countries will continue to guide India and Bangladesh in working for people's welfare. Yunus described Modi's message as 'thoughtful' and said it reflected the shared values that bind India and Bangladesh. He also extended his warm wishes to Modi and the people of India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Both letters were shared by Yunus on social media platform X on Sunday, highlighting the friendly diplomatic exchanges ahead of the Eid celebrations. — Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) June 8, 2025 In his letter, he said that Modi's 'thoughtful' message 'reflects the shared values' between the two countries. The chief adviser also extended his wishes to the prime minister and the people of India. 'I am confident that the spirit of mutual respect and understanding will continue to guide our nations to work together for the wellbeing of our peoples,' he said in the letter dated June 6. Yunus added that the festival is a 'time of reflection, which brings communities together in the spirit of festivity, sacrifice, generosity and unity, and inspires us all to work together for the greater benefits of the peoples across the world'. In his letter dated June 4, Modi said the festival is an 'integral part of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India'. He said it 'reminds us of the timeless values of sacrifice, compassion and brotherhood, which are essential in building a peaceful and inclusive world'. Eid-ul-Adha is one of the main Islamic festivals. It commemorates the willingness of Abraham, considered a prophet by Abrahamic religions, to sacrifice his son to obey the command of God. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
