Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has stated that Awami League leaders implicated in the violence and massacre during the student protests in July and August will face trial before the party is allowed to contest elections.
"Those found culpable will be held accountable. If proven innocent, they will have the same rights to participate in elections as anyone else. We will challenge them based on political grounds, not impunity," he said during an interview with TIME magazine.
The interview, titled, "Muhammad Yunus on the Race to Build Bangladesh 2.0", published on Thursday (21 November) revealed that Dr Yunus was initially reluctant to accept his current role.
“When asked to take on the government’s responsibility, I first tried to avoid it. But then I thought, you have sacrificed your lives, your friends have sacrificed theirs, so I must give my best effort,” he remarked.
Dr Yunus highlighted the violent clashes during the protests, which led to the deaths of over 1,500 people and left many injured.
He further criticised Sheikh Hasina’s regime, stating, “Over the past 15 years, more than 3,500 people were forcibly disappeared under her authoritarian rule, which thrived on killings, abductions, and the systematic destruction of state institutions.”
Regarding Sheikh Hasina, who has reportedly taken refuge in India, Dr Yunus expressed concern.
"Her remarks from India are inciting anger among Bangladeshis. Given the arrest warrants issued against her for inciting violence, we will demand her extradition to face justice in Bangladesh,” he said.
The international spotlight on Bangladesh has intensified, particularly after US President-elect Donald Trump condemned violence against minorities in Bangladesh.
In an October 31 post on X (formerly Twitter), Trump criticised the state of affairs in Bangladesh, describing the situation as "utterly chaotic."
Speculations suggest lobbying efforts by Awami League and influential Indian Americans to push for sanctions on Bangladesh.
However, Dr Yunus remains optimistic about engaging with Trump.
“Trump is a businessman, and so are we. We are not seeking charity but a partnership. We aim to assure global stakeholders that Bangladesh is open for business,” he said.
Dr Yunus also detailed the six-point reform agenda under the interim government, focusing on electoral processes, police administration, the judiciary, anti-corruption mechanisms, civil administration, and the national constitution.
Efforts to recover billions of dollars allegedly siphoned off by Awami League leaders are underway, with support from the European Commission.
"EC President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a ‘block mechanism’ to root out corruption, and several nations have pledged to assist in repatriating misappropriated funds," he said.
Nevertheless, the reforms have faced criticism.
BNP’s Information and Technology Secretary, AKM Wahiduzzaman, called the establishment of six reform commissions without political consultation a “hallmark of an authoritarian government.”
He demanded a clear timeline and roadmap for elections.
Dr Yunus clarified that there is no rush to set an election date.
"We have not specified a date. First, we must fix the electoral tracks to ensure the trains run on the right path,” he said, emphasising that uplifting living standards through systemic reforms are key to preventing the resurgence of authoritarianism.
On the artistic expression of the youth, Dr Yunus noted, “The graffiti and slogans may seem incendiary, but they reflect the boundless ambition and hope of our young minds. They are painting their future, and it symbolises something monumental for Bangladesh.”
Reaffirming his vision for a rejuvenated nation, Dr Yunus concluded, “We call this post-revolution phase ‘Bangladesh 2.0’—a transformed state emerging stronger from its trials.”
