Ahead of Janmashtami celebrations on Monday, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus declared his government is committed to inclusivity, emphasizing that all members of Bangladesh, including religious minorities, tribes, and marginalized communities, are equal citizens in the “new” Bangladesh.
“We will not discriminate against anyone for following a different religion or for having a different political opinion. We want to include all members of the country into one family,” he stated, aiming to heal a nation deeply scarred by recent communal violence.
The address holds significant weight in the current climate, where reports of attacks on minority religious communities have increased. That the address was delivered ahead of Janmashtami — which is a holiday in the country along with Christmas and Buuddha Purnima — underscored the government’s intention to uphold communal harmony.
The Shadow of Recent Violence
Bangladesh’s stability was thrown into question after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5. Following her departure, tensions escalated, with minority religious groups becoming targets of violence. The situation drew international attention, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the issue during his Independence Day speech on August 15, calling for the protection of minority rights in Bangladesh.
In response, Prof. Yunus engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Modi on August 16, focusing on the need to safeguard the rights of all citizens in Bangladesh. The interim government has since been under scrutiny to see how it handles these sensitive issues, especially as a team from the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights is currently in the country to investigate the violence that ensued during and after the uprising.
Role of the Caretaker Government
Prof. Yunus made it clear that the caretaker administration would remain in charge as long as the people of Bangladesh want them to implement the agenda set forth by the student agitators, who played a pivotal role in the recent political upheaval.
“We are not the people from the governing class. We came here responding to the plea of the student protesters. The date of the election will be decided through a political consultation. We will leave when people want us to leave,” he said, signaling that the interim government’s stay in power could be prolonged until a transparent and fair election process is established.
However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Since taking over on August 7, the Yunus-led interim administration has struggled to contain the widespread protests that continue to disrupt daily life in Dhaka. Prof. Yunus appealed to the demonstrators to allow the government to perform its duties without hindrance, acknowledging the protests but urging them to roll back their activities for the greater good of the nation.
International and Diplomatic Ramifications
The political shake-up has also had diplomatic consequences. Two Bangladeshi diplomats serving in India were dismissed from their duties following orders from the interim government. Shaban Mahmud, First Secretary (Press) at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, and Ranjan Sen, serving in a similar capacity at the consulate in Kolkata, were both asked to resign before the end of their contracts.
These dismissals indicate the interim government’s intent to realign Bangladesh’s foreign relations during this transitional period.
