On 29 July 2024 I reached Dhaka (Bangladesh) from New York. I and my wife were visiting USA to attend our grandson’s school graduation ceremony in New York. I left for Bangladesh via Vientiane (Laos) after attending the ASEAN-ARF meeting on 28 July 2024 where I met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and many other global leaders including John Lou, Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asian Affairs. But no one indicated me any possibility of likely usurpation of powers in Bangladesh on an otherwise trifle matter like rationalization of quota system in government jobs in which both the government and the students were in agreement in principle. No one could guess that behind that quota movement, there was well planned and meticulously designed and executed plan to overthrow a legitimate government of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh.
The departure of Hasina Government
Sheikh Hasina escorted to India with full state honor. On 5 August, 2O24 the democratically elected popular government of Sheikh Hasina was overthrown by a meticulously designed and executed action program orchestrated by a few hired sharp shooters supported by a group of students and the Bangladesh army. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was escorted to New Delhi, India by a military aircraft with full state honor.
She was forced to leave the country without resigning from her office of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
I was watching the developments in the Bangladesh television. After her departure, one of my best friends called me and informed that he might be picked up as the head of the new government. But instead of him, Bangladesh’s only Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammed Yunus, globally known as banker to the poor was picked up as the Head of the new government.
Given the sharp division and political hostility in Bangladesh, I recommended him to follow the footsteps of Nobel Laureate Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu of South Africa. Their reconciliation initiative in divided South Africa was a great success and therefore, I suggested him to follow their example. Unfortunately, he adopted a completely opposite approach based on vengeance and hatred that resulted in thousands of deaths and destruction. He in fact, created total mess and the country will suffer for years to come.
The high hopes and aspirations of people supported by a full page ad by more than 100 Nobel Laureates and global celebrities in world’s major dailies including the Washington Post soon faced a sharp contrast and found out that their Nobel Laureate is not that Nobel at all. Rather they observed his ugly face of murder, vengeance, hatred, greed, vandalism, promoter of radical jihadis and mobs violence that killed and destroyed almost all major institutions and burned down over 295,000 private houses of the Awami League (AL) leaders, nation’s largest and oldest party that ruled the country for over 21 years with great credit and success. Because of his wild and merciless atrocities and systematic extermination specifically of 3 groups of people namely (1) the supporters of AL party, (2) the adherents of the Independence Movement of 1971 and (3) the Hindu minority community of Bangladesh like Nazi Hitler forced thousands to flee the country to escape death and now thousands of them are loitering across the world and asking for asylum.
Sheikh Hasina’s legacy: an able and competent leader
The past Sheikh Hasina government (1996-2091, 2009-24) turned a poor country, Bangladesh known as a “bottomless basket with no hope of survival” into a land of opportunity and a middle income country, a vibrant economy by 2023. It raised its per capita income from $543 in 2006 to $2,932 by 2023, increased nation’s GDP from $90 billion in 1990 to $478 billion, steadily increased its exports more than 10-fold, achieved an average of 6.8% GDP growth rate per annum for over a decade and at the same time, reduced poverty from 42% to below 18% in 2023. It increased participation of female workforce from 6% to over 46%, an amazing achievement and enhanced nation’s longevity from 63 to 74 years. It upgraded Bangladesh into a developing country and increased school enrollment from 55% to 99%, availability of electricity from 13% to 99% households, quadrupled nation’s agricultural production and achieved self-sufficiency in food.
Dr. Yunus government: a national disaster, a pain for the nation
But within a short span of 18 months, Dr. Yunus turned this emerging nation, a “model of economic development” into a disaster— its GDP growth rate declined from 6.8% to 3.3%, unemployment sharply increased, over 400 factories closed down, nearly 3 million workers lost their jobs of which 85% are female workers, stock market nearly collapsed, inflation sharply increased over two digits mostly due to inefficiency, evil governance, corruption and incompetence. His administration destroyed most of the institutions in the country and sold out its ports and other facilities, its resources including sovereignty to foreign companies and governments for personal gains. He himself appropriated nearly 25 different types of benefits for himself and for his cronies. His was the most corrupt administration in the history of Bangladesh till to-date.
His International Crime Tribunal is a judicial killing machine
He destroyed nation’s judiciary, terminated justices arbitrarily without due process and replaced them with his cronies. In the process, judiciary became a tool of corruption, intimidation and extortion. He illegally created a so-called International Crime Tribunal, known as a judicial killing machine.
Message of fear and intimidation
Since I was not a Minister at the time when the government was toppled and I was never been involved with any corruption or never violated any law of the land, I was staying in my apartment in spite of the upheaval. One day, a military Colonel called me and assured me that they would protect me and they guarantee my safety. I had few friends who listened to his voice and they immediately asked me to leave the apartment and advised me to destroy my cell phone as the military would detect my whereabouts. At their insistence, I had to leave my apartment in 10 minutes’ time leaving my cell phone and all of my possessions. Afterwards, my driver brought me essential items for my use in a clandestine hiding place.
My life of fugitive begins: full of fear and uncertainty
In early 1980s I used to watch “Fugitive” series in the US television where fugitive Richard Kimble had to move from one place or town to another to avoid arrest. He was an innocent man but the Court wrongly convicted him of murder.
Although I was in the USA during the students uprising in July 2024, but a number of murder and arson cases were lodged against me fraudulently. As per government statistics, nearly 18,000 false murder cases have been filed against 300,000 people, mostly supporters and office bearers of the past AL government. Cases were filed against dead people also who died many years ago. Those who filed these false cases unfortunately never met their so-called killer nor ever met him or her. These false cases are a vehicle of intimidation, extortion and corruption. Both the police and the lawyers would contact you and assure you of dropping your name from the case provided you pay them handsomely. This is a new and most lucrative business in the town.
Life in the dungeon: Hiding places
I stayed in the country over 8.5 months, but had to move from one hideout to another to avoid detection and arrest. During the time, I hardly dare to go out of my hide-out nor met anyone. Somedays my children and nieces would send food to my hiding doorsteps from New York by phones. This is really a great innovation of digital world— one can place an order to a restaurant in Dhaka from New York and they do deliver hot meals. It’s amazing!’ Sheikh Hasina tried her best to digitize Bangladesh and promoted use of digital technology widely. Ordering from New York is her achievement!!!
Arrest in Bangladesh is dreadful; a media circus
Most dreadful thing of being arrested is that once you are arrested, police would allow the mob to attack you and do bodily injuries and afterwards the government would parade you in front of the national television media with false accusations and narratives each day for months. This is known as “media trial” to make you unpopular and an enemy to the people. Such deeming is a crime against humanity. More so as you or your lawyer are not allowed to respond to these false allegations. Being afraid of harrassment, no lawyer dares to be your lawyer. Once arrested, the government never grant any bail either. More than 129 Members of Parliament and many Cabinet members are in jail now for over last two years without any charges.
In civilized societies until you are convicted, you are presumed innocent. But in today’s Bangladesh, just opposite to that of USA, once you are arrested, you are presumed guilty even without charges and evidence whatsoever. Will the leaders and people with conviction and fairness of justice raise their voice against such atrocities and inhumane treatment?
Dissidents are killed inside jail
It is dreadful that many opposition leaders and dissidents have been killed inside government custody by slow poisonings. The nation’s prison capacity is only 42,100 inmates. Sadly over 360,000 are now laguishing in jails.
Nation’s Jail superintendent demanded more budget for the prisoners. But since there is shortage of funds, most of the time, the inmates have to arrange their own food, medicine, and pharmaceuticals.
When I was the Chairperson of the UN Peacekeeping, I had the privilege to visit a few post-conflict countries and we visited a few prisons in few post conflict countries. I remember, Dr. Yunus sold few mosquito nets to the UN for supplying those nets to the prisoners of CAR or Central African Republic. But he is totally indifferent to the plight of prisoners under his watch.
UN officials should visit Bangladesh jails
Bangladesh jails are worst to those of African jails and it is time for the UN officials and the world leaders to routinely visit the prisons of Bangladesh as they are possibly worse to that of Guantanamo Bay detention center.
Preparation to escape dungeon in Bangladesh
My parental ancient but historic home in Sylhet, 220 kilometers from the capital city was vandalized, looted again and again and then burned down. My office, my apartment near the National Parliament were ransacked and looted. The jihadis stole even my private and personal belongings.
In 1947 before leaving India, the British government decided to hold elections in two places, one in Punjab and another in Sylhet, a district of Assam province. My father was a prominent lawyer and a political leader. He was selected as the Convener of the Sylhet Referendum Committee and he campaigned successfully to win the election and due to this, Sylhet district became a part of independent East Pakistan in 1947. [My maternal grandfather who was a Land Revenue Minister / Speaker in the Assam province for 10 years prior to division of British India became a Minister in the first cabinet of East Bengal or East Pakistan in 1947]. My father ran campaign from this house known as the Hafiz Complex.
History Repeats: Very strange indeed?
In 1971, when independence movement of Bangladesh started, as the first bullet in Sylhet town was fired from the premises of our house and therefore. the occupation Pakistani army destroyed this house. Many prominent leaders of undivided India and Pakistan and now Bangladesh spent hours and hours in this house to discuss the polity of the country. Like the Pakistani army, in 2024 August, this house was again looted and destroyed although this was not mine alone. This house belongs to our greater family many of whom have no connection with politics or political parties.
In the capital city my apartment was ransacked, my office was looted and my vehicles were taken away. Since the environment was hostile and uncivilized, I started preparing to escape my country that I so dearly love.
I lived in USA mostly in Boston and New York most of my life. All our 5 children are born Americans and all of them have comfortable life in the USA.
I left USA in November 2015 after serving Bangladesh as its Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations for 6 years (2009-15). My kids did not want me to leave USA where I lived more than 38 years. Initially I came to USA in 1976 and since 1978 I have been living mostly in Massachusetts. I received half a dozen higher degrees like PhD, MBA, MPA, LLB, MA and BA with distinction and worked in many top universities including Harvard and MIT. When I was serving the Framingham State University as the Chairman of its Business and Economics Department, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina offered me the position of Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN which I accepted with reluctance as I never served as a diplomat before. Sheikh Hasina insisted on my acceptance as her country was termed by the international agencies as the most corrupt country for 5 years consecutively from 2001 through 2006 and the reputation of her country was at the bottom.
Reduce sale of women and stop abuse of kids as camel jockeys in 1990s
During 1990s, I worked hard to end the sale of women and children in slave-like servitude and to stop abuse of small boys, all below the age of 5 as Camel Jockeys and also stop child labor in Bangladesh. With the support of media and American political leadership namely Senator Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Congressmen Joe Kennedy II, Barney Frank, Joe Mokley, Tom Lantos, governor Michael Dukakis, Oscar-winner Olympia Dukakis and many others plus Sheikh Hasina, I was successful to stop abuse of young boys as camel jockeys. She reminded me of my campaign and I accepted her offer. As a Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, I was lucky to be elected to the highest office of at least 12 UN offices including the President of UN Peacekeeping & Peacebuilding, UNICEF, Chair of 2nd Committee, Vice President of the UNGA and ECOSOC including Acting President of the UNGA, facilitator of NAM, and Chair of UN International Terrorism Review, President of the South-South Cooperation, Chair of LDCs, plus the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Committees, etc.
I joined politics in 2018 as my elder brother decided not to contest
On my return to Bangladesh, I started teaching at the American University of Bangladesh and also as the Chair of Chittagong Stock Exchange. When my elder brother Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, then the Finance Minister of Bangladesh decided not to run for office again due to his old age (he was 86), I was lucky to get nomination of my party and I got elected with overwhelming support of nearly 391,000 popular votes. On the Election Day, the British High Commissioner and the US Ambassador Miller visited me including the current US Ambassador to Bangladesh Mr. Brent Christensen (he was Deputy) and they all were impressed with the fairness of election procedures and campaign.
Once elected, the Prime Minister picked me as her Foreign Minister and I completed my 5-year tenure with credit. In 2024 election, I got reelected but was dropped from the new cabinet. Since I was in the Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet, the new leadership vandalize and looted my house and I had to live a life of a fugitive.
Hasina’s popularity skyrocketed now
In any democratic society, political leadership would change but unfortunately, change of leadership in Bangladesh is still abrupt and uncivilized. It is interesting that as the new leadership committed so much violence and savagery, the popularity of the past government of Sheikh Hasina is now sky-rocketed and it ranges between 69% and 80% percent favorable rating. Since she was a friend of poor or common people, these people everyday wish her safe return.
Since the major political parties of Bangladesh for example, the BNP (current ruling party) and the Ismamist Jamatee Islam Party plus NCP of Dr. Muhammed Yunus were afraid of Awami League’s sweeping victory, they did not allow Sheikh Hasina’s AL party to contest in the election. They managed a doctored controversial election where voters participation was minimal and as per TIB, a German NGO, nearly 33% percent votes were counted fraudulently.
Since the current leadership in Bangladesh has no grass root support and therefore, their stability is questionable and their rule is shaky. No wonder, nation’s economy is deteriorating sharply and investment is falling. Since people don’t have trust and confidence on the government, it’s revenue earnings sharply declined and the government has to manage it’s administration either by printing money or borrowing from banks which is causing higher inflation. How long this government can sustain is being questioned by many.
Bangladeshi people uncertain of its future, shipping their wealth abroad and the Swiss Bank disclosed that the deposit of Bangladesh nationals has sharply increased by 41% percent during Dr. Muhammed Yunus tenure.
Preparation started for escape
Once I decided to escape, to avoid detection, I had to change my facial appearance and therefore, I started keeping beards and shave off my hairs. I also started walking in two rooms at least 30 minutes at a time as I might have to cross the borders on feet.
On a specific day, early in the morning at 4:00 am I left my hiding place for the border and with the help of few, somehow I managed to enter neighboring India illegally. I couldn’t carry any of my documents nor a money bag with me as per the instructions of the helpers. After spending 4 days in India without any documents, another person brought my suitcase and necessary documents from Bangladesh. My friends in India assisted me to regularize my entry and afterwards, I could buy a ticket to USA. I may mention that a lucrative business has cropped up involving officials both civil and military to assist fugitives to illegally cross the borders.
My great and unusual escape from Bangladesh was planned and executed by my wife from New York. Out of fear of being detected, I not only stopped speaking on phone, I had to change my cell phones 6 times. In the process, I lost most of the phone numbers of my friends and relatives. My grandson and my youngest daughter tried to collect them from the Cloud but with limited success. Therefore, I lost my contact numbers.
Prayer works: Almighty listens
Hundreds of people all across the world prayed for me and many sacrificed cows and goats for my safety. I am now convinced that prayers with sincerity actually work and I am a beneficiary of it. May Allah, the Almighty bless all those souls that prayed for me— amen.
Although I totally changed my facial appearance yet two wheelchair workers could correctly identify me at JFK airport and I still wonder how that was possible. Anyway, they were very nice to me and they welcomed me heartily with honor and gratitude. I am proud of them. May God bless them.
The great escape: Lifetime experience
I left my hideout at around 4:00 am initially by a car, then I had to ride a motorcycle for 40 minutes and then we crossed a river (it had shallow waters but very deep) in a locally made bamboo bridge and waited in a village close to the Bangladesh-India border. Afterwards, I had to walk in a paddy field for nearly 45 minutes and it was not easy. I almost fainted and then two strongmen who were with me held my arms tightly and dragged me to a hill and then they put me down inside a vehicle. They were both Bangladesh government officials. At the bottom of a hill, there was a car waiting, a driver and a coordinator. Both are Indian nationals. I laid down on the car and I was so exhausted that I couldn’t even say goodbye to my helpers, those two strongmen.
I was told not to carry anything with me, no passport, no documents, no money, no identification cards, no charge cards, no cell phones or even my money bag. I was told if you carry money then people in the border area would snatch it and if you refuse, they might hand me over to the border security forces. This is the first time in my life I crossed a border, a country without any documents.
Since I had no documents, no identification, initially I was feeling very shaky but soon I remembered Greek philosopher Socrates. One day he appeared very happy and gay and therefore, his disciples asked him the reason. He told them that he had only one lamp but that had been stolen. He further added “uneasy lies in the heads of the Crown” — now he has nothing, therefore all uneasiness have gone. I was realizing his wisdom.
Borders have barbed fans: smugglers have created pockets
It may be mentioned that most of the border has barbed wires. The local smugglers of sugar, animals, drugs and other commodities cut out some of it in the hilly areas and these are the only areas where one can cross the border illegally.
When I was placed in a car, there were two people in it besides me; a driver and a coordinator. The car had to stop at a check point after 15/20 minutes. The soldiers checked the car but did not asked me anything. Once checking was done, the car continued moving. But soon after there was another Check Point. This time nearly 6 Indian border security guards with rifles checked the vehicle with modern equipment and afterward saluted the coordinator. Observing this, I felt assured and asked the coordinator whether he knew them. He replied affirmatively and asked what do I do as a living. I told him that I was a teacher and he felt at ease. He said, his uncle is a teacher too. Until then I did not open my mouth. He assured me that I am now in Indian territory.
Afterwards, we drove for hours. I started my escape at around 4:00 am in the morning and since then I had no food. By 3:00 pm the car stopped in front of a restaurant. The coordination went out while I and driver were asked to stay in the vehicle. He returned and said, “Sorry, there is no vegetarian dishes in this restaurant”. I asked what they had, he replied only beef items. I said that’s fine with me. Once he learned that I have no problem in eating beef, he felt relief. We all got out and headed for the restaurant. They don’t have much supply of vegetables or fish as the area is hilly and most of the residents here are Christians and beef eaters.
There were not many customers. I was pleased to have a hot bowl of rice, beef curry and traditional dal or lentil soup. After lunch, we started moving. It was hot and humid and since the vehicle had no air conditioning, we were feeling unease more so as we had to close the windows due to dust of the roads.
India undergoing reconstruction but Bangladesh undergoing destruction
I observed that the whole of Indian roads were under construction— miles after miles they were either turning two-lane roads to 4-lanes or 6-lanes roads and construction equipment are all over. Hills are being curved, bridges are being built—- construction equipment all over. Because of ongoing road construction, it took hours and hours to reach our destination. Moreover, traffic was very heavy. We reached to a city at around 11:30 pm and waited for a friend of mine who travelled from Kolkata to receive me. My wife made the arrangements from New York.
Once his vehicle came near that of our one, I was moved from my vehicle to his one, a nice and air-conditioned vehicle and I could meet my friend who had been in contact with my wife in New York. Transfer was done on a highway so that those who brought me cannot tell where I was dropped. My friend told me that we would be going to a house for overnight stay. I told him that since I had nothing with me and my clothes are dirty due to sweat and dust, I would prefer to have sleeping pajama or sleeping suit. The driver, a fresh handsome young graduate said no problem— most of the stores were open till then.
At around midnight 12:30 am when we reached to a house, I felt embarrassed as the whole family; son, 2 daughters, Madam and her husband all were busy in assisting us. And I did not carry anything that I can offer to them. They kept hot water ready for taking bath and then we had a good meal. While taking dinner, I unearthed a historic coincidence.
History repeats: Very strange indeed!
In 1971 during the Pakistani atrocities we had to take shelter in neighboring India. Nearly 54 years ago we stayed at a house in India for couple of days and they were political leaders— in fact, they were elected members of Indian parliaments; Lok Shoba and Bidan Soba — belonging to Prime Minister Indira Grandi’s party or Congress-I. I unearthed that the house where we were staying now they are the grandchildren of those great leaders where we took shelter in 1971. What a great coincidence!!!
It is worth mentioning that in 1971, Pakistan military government passed a verdict of death sentence against Bengal’s omnipotent leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his graveyard was dug near his prison cell. But instead of being hanged and burried, he returned to his homeland, Bangladesh an independent and sovereign country as its head of the government.
Today, a Kangaroo Court in Bangladesh gave a verdict of death sentence against the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the July uprising. Will history repeat itself? Will she return to her homeland as a national hero?
I wished to stay with my friend who received me but that couldn’t be arranged as their living arrangements in India is not comfortable— 5 members of Parliament live in a 2-room apartment. Therefore, he put me up at a hotel. My wife managed the bills from NY. After 4 days of my stay in a hotel, another person brought my suitcase, plus all documents including passport and cell phones. I remained inside the hotel room for 4 days and once my luggage and passport came, I contacted an airline company. They needed legal entry seal in my passport. My old friends with whom I worked at the UN in
New York arranged completion of the requirements. Once that is done, I could fly to USA.
At last I am safe and away from the threat of mob violence
My entry to USA was smooth and I did not face any difficulties. My wife, my children and my grandchildren all were pleased to see me safe and free. However, I was advised not to criticize the government and must overlook the atrocities and human rights violations in Bangladesh.
But when a young Hindu garment worker was arrested and then killed by burning him alive like medieval time, or a young supporter of the past Sheikh Hasina government was stoned to death as he refused payment of extortion money in broad daylight, and young girls were being raped and a young man, a supporter of AL was buried alive, it was difficult for me to remain quiet. Therefore, I published two reports— one titled “Current Crisis in Bangladesh: Needs Global Attention (published on 10 July 2025) and another report titled “Bangladesh at a Crossroads: Risks, Realities and the Path Forward” (published on 15 May 2026).
It is unfortunate that a progressive country like Bangladesh that believed in rule of law and justice suddenly under Dr. Muhammed Yunus turned into a radical jihadi mob state where rule of law is absent, and hoping to have justice is a far cry. Even families and loved ones of nearly 3,000+ police officers and on-duty police men and women that were murdered during the uprising were denied to solicit justice as the government granted Indemnity to the killers. Since then the morale of law enforcement officers went downhill and now, lawlessness and anarchy is rampant. Such has created fear of unknowns, uncertainty, and instability in the country. The end result is, economic stagnation, and a bleak future for Bangladesh, a country of 170 million people.
The path forward
To regain stability and economic growth, it is imperative for the new government of Tarique Rahman to withdraw ban from all political parties, withdraw all politically motivated false and fraudulent cases and uphold independence and fairness of the judiciary. Without these initiatives, the future of the country is uncertain and the current trend may lead it to a jihadi state, a failed homeland of terrorism. A radical jihadi state is a danger to its own citizens, a danger to its neighbors and to the greater world. Therefore, leadership across the world plus all Human Rights organizations and the UN must take strong stand and corrective actions against the spread of such jihadi mob violence. Unless actions are taken, this jihadi violence will not stop, rather engulf other nations.
Author: Professor Dr. A K. Abdul Momen, Foremer Foreign Minister of Bangladesh
