Following the dramatic resignation of Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, the controversial Nobel laureate, announced on Tuesday (6th July) that he would take on the role of chief advisor to the interim government.

“When I was contacted on behalf of the students, I didn’t agree at first. I told them I have a lot of work to finish. But the students repeatedly requested me,” Yunus explained, as quoted by a source from The Daily Star.

Yunus, who had openly expressed his satisfaction with the chaos that contributed to Sheikh Hasina's ousting, remarked, “If the students can sacrifice so much, if the people of the country can sacrifice so much, then I also have some responsibility.”

On Monday, journalist Sidhat Sibal reported that Yunus is preparing to return to Bangladesh from France. Yunus, known for his controversial statements, referred to 5th August 2024 as ‘Second Liberation Day.’

Earlier this year, in January, a labour court in Dhaka found Yunus guilty of violating the labour laws of Bangladesh. He received a sentence of 6 months of simple imprisonment and was fined Tk 30000 (~$260).

The labour court, led by Judge Sheikh Merina Sultana, pointed out that 67 employees at Grameen Telecom were supposed to be given permanent positions, which did not occur.

Grameen Telecom had a policy to share 5% of its dividends with its staff, but this was not implemented. Muhammad Yunus is also facing 100 additional charges related to graft and violations of labour laws in Bangladesh.

Muhammad Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, established Grameen Bank in 1983 to provide microloans to the impoverished. He was removed from his role as Managing Director of the bank for not adhering to the Bangladeshi government's retirement regulations.

Yunus was also prosecuted in 2013 for receiving funds without the government's approval. Sheikh Hasina notoriously labeled him a ‘bloodsucker’ for charging the poor extremely high interest rates on loans.

The influence and recognition of Muhammad Yunus in the Western world, especially in the United States, is unparalleled. In 2009, Muhammad Yunus was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the then US President-turned-war criminal Barrack Obama.

The following year, Yunus received the Congressional Gold Medal, a testament to his significant impact and contribution. Additionally, he was honored with the Fulbright Scholarship from the US State Department, highlighting his esteemed position in academic and policy circles.

Yunus's reputation and standing came under scrutiny when he faced legal issues in Bangladesh. When he was convicted in January this year, the United States came to his rescue and highlighted the ‘global criticism’ surrounding his sentencing by a labour court in Dhaka. This intervention underscored the high regard in which Yunus is held by the US and its willingness to defend him on the global stage.

Beyond these American accolades, Yunus also received the Ramon Magsaysay Award, an honor linked to two American organizations with connections to the CIA. This award was named after a Philippine president known for his association with the CIA. The establishment of this award was backed by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund based in New York, further emphasizing the Western support and recognition Yunus has garnered.

In 2000, the Ford Foundation, another prominent American organization, established the Ramon Magsaysay Emergent Leadership Award, continuing the tradition of recognizing leaders with significant contributions to society. These awards and recognitions illustrate the continuous and robust support Yunus has received from Western entities, affirming his role as a critical figure in promoting social and economic development.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Ford Foundation have long been associated with American interests overseas. Their history of collaboration with the CIA is well-documented, raising questions about their true motives. The Ford Foundation, in particular, has faced allegations of acting as a philanthropic cover for the Central Intelligence Agency, further cementing its controversial status.

Adding to the intrigue, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi conducted an interview with the contentious figure Muhammad Yunus in July 2020, amid the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. This interview brought significant attention to the plight of migrant workers, an issue Gandhi aimed to highlight on an international platform.

During the conversation, Yunus poignantly described the harsh realities faced by migrant workers: “We have people working for us, cooking food for us, security persons, darbaan for us, they are taking care of our children. We knew them. But suddenly we see millions of them on the highway trying to go home. Suddenly, all the city migrant workers are coming out of the city in a big crowd and going out. For a simple reason, they have nothing here, no life here, no money here to survive. So, ultimate place they can go back to is their home. So, desperately they are going home. And then on foot, thousand-mile journeys. That is the saddest part that Coronavirus has revealed,” Yunus had said during the interview. 

US Revokes Sheikh Hasina’s Visa After Her Removal from Power, UK Tells Her ‘No Provision’ for Asylum

In a significant turn of events, the United States has officially revoked the visa of Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh. This action aligns with earlier indications from Western countries, including the US, which reportedly sought her removal from power.

Following her resignation amidst escalating violence in Bangladesh, Hasina sought refuge by fleeing to India. She is currently stationed at Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad, awaiting her next steps.

Amidst this turmoil, British immigration authorities have clarified their stance regarding asylum seekers. According to the UK Home Office, the country's regulations do not allow individuals to travel there specifically to seek asylum or temporary refuge. This clarification comes at a time when there's widespread speculation about Hasina's potential plans to seek asylum in the UK, particularly now that she is in Delhi.

The current UK government under Sir Keir Starmer, who came into power following a landslide victory for the Labour Party, reinforces that asylum should be sought in the first safe country an individual reaches. A spokesperson for the UK Home Office elaborated, “The UK has a proud record of providing protection for those in need. However, there is no provision for someone to travel to the UK specifically to seek asylum or temporary refuge.”

The spokesperson further advised, “Those requiring international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach, as this is the quickest route to safety.”

Despite these clarifications and the challenging circumstances, sources have revealed that a formal asylum request on behalf of Sheikh Hasina is currently being processed.

On Monday, in a critical turn of events, the military orchestrated Sheikh Hasina’s exit from Dhaka following escalating anti-government protests. These protests, driven by dissent against her reservation policies, spiraled into violent clashes, tragically resulting in over 440 deaths in recent weeks. In the chaos following her resignation, protestors invaded her residence, leading to severe vandalism.

Upon her entry into India on the same day, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval along with top military leaders welcomed Hasina, guaranteeing her comprehensive security. The Indian Air Force was heavily involved, deploying Rafale jets to monitor her flight closely, ensuring her secure transit amid ongoing instability back in Bangladesh. The country is now facing a critical phase, with the military declaring the establishment of a temporary government headed by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Further developments were shared on Tuesday by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Addressing the Indian Parliament, he detailed the circumstances under which Hasina reached out to India for sanctuary following her abrupt resignation. In a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar conveyed that India responded promptly to Hasina’s plea, facilitating her arrival on very short notice.

“On August 5th, demonstrators gathered in Dhaka despite the curfew. Following a meeting with security establishment leaders, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seemingly decided to resign,” Jaishankar explained. “On very short notice, she sought approval to come to India temporarily. We simultaneously received a flight clearance request from Bangladeshi authorities. She arrived in Delhi yesterday evening,” he further elaborated on the sequence of events that led to Hasina’s dramatic departure and subsequent asylum in India.