Bangladesh ’s interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus faced protests in New York on Friday as he addressed the fourth day of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Demonstrators gathered outside the UN headquarters, raising slogans like “Yunus is Pakistani. Go back to Pakistan,” accusing the Nobel laureate of bias and poor governance.
Yunus, who took charge after last year’s Gen Z-led uprising toppled Sheikh Hasina ’s 15-year rule, delivered his second UN speech since the regime change. Supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina organised the protest, voicing anger at the interim administration.
Critics of Yunus allege his government has allowed attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, with some linking the violence to radical Islamist groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami .
Yunus has also blamed India for hosting Hasina, further straining bilateral ties. India had earlier expressed concern over minority safety in Bangladesh.
Reflecting on the upheaval in his country, Yunus told the UN delegates: “Last year, in this august assembly, I spoke to you from a country that had just witnessed a popular uprising. I shared with you our aspirations for transformation. Today, I stand here to tell you how far we have come on that journey. Out of every 100 people on this planet, nearly three live in Bangladesh.”
He added: “Our story matters because it is a reminder of the extraordinary power of ordinary people. It matters because it inspires hope among nations everywhere, that no matter how deep the crisis, no matter how impossible the solution may seem, the path to renewal is never lost.”
Yunus remains the interim head of government until general elections expected next year. Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh following the unrest, while her supporters in New York continue to demand action against the current leadership.
Yunus, who took charge after last year’s Gen Z-led uprising toppled Sheikh Hasina ’s 15-year rule, delivered his second UN speech since the regime change. Supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina organised the protest, voicing anger at the interim administration.
Critics of Yunus allege his government has allowed attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, with some linking the violence to radical Islamist groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami .
Yunus has also blamed India for hosting Hasina, further straining bilateral ties. India had earlier expressed concern over minority safety in Bangladesh.
Reflecting on the upheaval in his country, Yunus told the UN delegates: “Last year, in this august assembly, I spoke to you from a country that had just witnessed a popular uprising. I shared with you our aspirations for transformation. Today, I stand here to tell you how far we have come on that journey. Out of every 100 people on this planet, nearly three live in Bangladesh.”
He added: “Our story matters because it is a reminder of the extraordinary power of ordinary people. It matters because it inspires hope among nations everywhere, that no matter how deep the crisis, no matter how impossible the solution may seem, the path to renewal is never lost.”
Yunus remains the interim head of government until general elections expected next year. Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh following the unrest, while her supporters in New York continue to demand action against the current leadership.
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