In a startling political shift, controversial Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has allegedly formed a government in Bangladesh, ousting Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League through what many are calling an undemocratic power grab. Backed by radical Islamist factions, this new regime is said to be steering the country away from its progressive trajectory, fostering an environment of extremism and cultural suppression.
The wave of conservatism has particularly impacted women and free thinkers, with severe restrictions reported on cultural expressions, independent journalism, and artistic endeavors. Bangladesh’s cherished entertainment industry, including drama, music, and film, has come under siege — facing both direct censorship and threats from extremist groups.
One of the most shocking developments has been the backlash against Ityadi, a long-standing, beloved magazine-style television show created and hosted by Hanif Sanket. Known for its humor, satire, and cultural segments, Ityadi recently faced a violent disruption while filming in Thakurgaon. Eyewitnesses claim that members of radical Islamist groups including Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Hizb ut-Tahrir attacked the production team. Although Ityadi airs on the state-run BTV, the Yunus-led administration allegedly pressured the show’s creators to downplay the incident, calling it a “minor disturbance.”
However, the aftermath revealed the gravity of the threat. For the first time in years, Ityadi was forced to record its Eid special episode indoors, breaking its tradition of filming in various districts to promote local culture. This change, critics argue, symbolizes the broader cultural lockdown that now grips the nation.
The controversy didn’t end there. The Eid episode of Ityadi drew widespread condemnation for overtly misogynistic content. Viewers noted that multiple segments — including comedy skits, songs, and dramatizations — featured demeaning portrayals of women. Prominent actors such as Shahiduzzaman Selim, Rosy selim, Intekhab Dinar, Bijri Barkat Ullah, Nadia Ahmed, Nayeem, Tausif Mahbub, Bubly, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Momena Chowdhury, Nasir uddin khan took part in the production, sparking disbelief among fans and activists.
One viral social media post by commentator Nazrul Nurul accused Ityadi of consistently promoting anti-women narratives: “Not subtly, but blatantly, the show insulted women in nearly every scene,” he wrote. Other critics have labeled Hanif Sanket himself as an Islamophobic figure who peddles extremist ideologies, even citing segments that seemingly blamed women’s clothing for sexual violence — echoing notorious fundamentalist rhetoric.
Adding fuel to the fire, many negative comments on Ityadi’s official social media pages were allegedly deleted, leaving only praise and support visible. This prompted further backlash from fans who accused the show of silencing dissent.
Overseas viewers, particularly Bangladeshi expatriates, also voiced concern over the show’s apparent slide into religious orthodoxy and gender discrimination. They warned that normalizing hate under the guise of humor could have dangerous consequences, especially when aired by the country’s most-watched television program.
Some have gone as far as calling Ityadi a “manual for Islamist extremism,” pointing fingers at Dr. Yunus’s media advisor, Mahfuz Alam — a controversial figure rumored to have links with banned militant groups in the past.
As the cultural and political atmosphere in Bangladesh grows increasingly volatile, many fear that beloved institutions like Ityadi are being co-opted to serve extremist agendas, threatening the country’s pluralistic and progressive identity.