Sheikh Hasina Blames Muhammad Yunus for Rising Extremism in Bangladesh; Expresses Concern Over Attacks on Hindus

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has held Muhammad Yunus responsible for the escalating attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Speaking in an interview with Indian media, she accused Yunus of failing to curb extremist activities and undermining the country’s secular foundations.

Hasina, whose government was overthrown in August 2024, forcing her to seek refuge in India, highlighted the growing threat posed by religious extremism and mob mentality in Bangladesh. She stated, “Religious radicalism, the dangerous convergence of mob mentality, and political opportunism are on the rise, largely due to the interim government’s inability to take decisive action.”

In her interview with CNN-News18 from New Delhi, Hasina emphasized India’s longstanding role as a partner in protecting democracy and safeguarding minorities in Bangladesh. She further accused Muhammad Yunus of deliberately inciting anti-India sentiment to cover up his own failures. “Weakening of democratic institutions is already creating tensions in bilateral relations,” she warned.

Addressing repeated attacks on Hindus and the murder of Dipu Das, Hasina said, “These incidents are the result of religious intolerance and the dangerous fusion of extremist thinking with mob mentality. The interim government has allowed these attacks to escalate unchecked. The murder of Dipu Das is a horrific crime that reflects how deeply intolerance and extremism have taken root. This is not an isolated incident.”

She further elaborated, “Since Yunus came to power, thousands of attacks have been carried out against religious minorities, including Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and peaceful Ahmadi Muslims, with almost no accountability. Temples, churches, and mosques are being vandalized, cultural expression is being suppressed, and women are gradually being pushed out of public life. All this is being justified under an extremist ideology that seeks to erase the pluralistic character of a traditionally secular and tolerant Bangladesh.”