New Delhi: Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh, firmly dismissed suggestions that his country could follow the path of Afghanistan in the absence of Sheikh Hasinas leadership. Yunus urged India to discard this narrative and focus on strengthening bilateral relations instead. Yunus addressed the recent violence against minority Hindus in Bangladesh, asserting that these incidents were politically motivated rather than communal. He questioned Indias portrayal of the situation, suggesting that it has been exaggerated for political gain.Attacks on Hindus: Political, not communalThese attacks are political in nature, not communal. India is amplifying these events in a big way. We havent said were powerless weve said were doing everything possible, Yunus explained in an interview with news agency PTI.The violence, which involved vandalism of Hindu businesses and temples, erupted following Sheikh Hasinas departure from the country on August 5. Yunus, who took over as Chief Adviser after Hasinas ouster, emphasized that the violence was a byproduct of political turmoil, not religious conflict.Indias narrative must shiftThe Nobel Peace Prize winner urged India to move beyond the assumption that only Hasina can guarantee stability in Bangladesh. The narrative that Bangladesh is safe only under Sheikh Hasinas leadership and that the country will become another Afghanistan is flawed. India needs to break free from this perception. Bangladesh is a sovereign neighbor, just like any other country, Yunus stressed.Strengthening Bangladesh-India relationsYunus also called for renewed efforts to mend the strained ties between Bangladesh and India. He emphasized the need for collaboration, especially as the relationship has hit a low point. “We need to work together to improve this relationship,” he said.The interim government has also communicated that Sheikh Hasina must remain silent during her stay in India until the Bangladeshi government requests her return. Yunuss remarks come at a time when India has expressed concerns over the safety of Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh.Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently expressed hopes for a return to stability in Bangladesh, acknowledging the concerns of 1.4 billion Indians over the safety of minorities in the neighboring nation.
