By Aminul Haque
Bangladesh finds itself in freefall—gripped by lawlessness, surging violence against women and minorities, political suppression, press censorship, and a dangerous rise in religious extremism. Just when the nation is gasping for relief, the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus has chosen to distract with a medieval-style Eid-ul-Fitr procession in Dhaka—an event that has ignited a storm of outrage online.
One image from this spectacle has gone viral: a portrayal of Nasiruddin Hodja, the legendary folk character, sitting backwards on a donkey. Social media is ablaze with theories—some see the figure as Dr. Yunus himself, others as Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shafiqul Islam, and some as a grotesque fusion of both. The message is deafeningly clear: under Dr. Yunus’s leadership, Bangladesh is moving backwards at breakneck speed.
Pressing the ‘Reset’ Button—Or Erasing History?
Upon seizing power, Dr. Yunus declared his intent to hit the ‘reset’ button on Bangladesh’s past. But the past eight months have laid bare his true mission: dismantling the nation’s secular, inclusive foundations. His administration’s actions paint a chilling picture of regression.
Bangladesh’s longstanding foreign policy— ‘friendship with all, malice toward none’—is now under siege. Since independence, the country has carefully navigated its diplomatic ties. Yet, even before taking office, Dr. Yunus openly antagonized India with inflammatory remarks about the Seven Sisters states. Now, his administration is doubling down on anti-India rhetoric—a reckless move that might pander to nationalist sentiments in the short term but poses a grave threat to regional stability. His overtures to China, inviting Beijing to expand business in India’s northeastern states, are only fanning the flames.
Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee once wisely said, ‘You can change your friends, but not your neighbours.’ Diplomacy demands pragmatism, yet Dr. Yunus seems more interested in stoking hostility than fostering cooperation.
From Zero Tolerance to Terrorist Playground?
Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh was hailed for its zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, successfully keeping extremist groups at bay. Yet, within eight months of Dr. Yunus’s tenure, the international community now dreads that Bangladesh might devolve into the next Afghanistan. A recent New York Times exposé highlights how Islamic extremists see new opportunities in Bangladesh under the current government—a claim dismissed as biased by authorities yet corroborated by alarming ground realities. Radical factions like Hizb ut-Tahrir, once suppressed, have resurged with newfound audacity, while religious minorities and secular symbols are ruthlessly targeted. No amount of deflection can erase the truth: Bangladesh is sliding into extremism, and the world is watching in horror.
Women’s Rights: From Progress to Persecution
Once an Asian trailblazer in women’s empowerment, Bangladesh is now witnessing a terrifying surge in gender-based violence. Women live in fear as self-appointed morality enforcers dictate dress codes and social behaviour, emboldened by a government unwilling to intervene. In a chilling display of impunity, violent mobs have stormed police stations to free sexual offenders while threatening their victims into silence. The message is unmistakable: in Dr. Yunus’s Bangladesh, women must submit—or suffer.
A Government for the People—Or a Personal Looting Machine?
As the country spirals, the ruling elite are thriving. Dr. Yunus and his clique of ‘coordinators’ have transformed governance into a shameless profiteering scheme. Judicial oversight has been bulldozed, state institutions bullied into submission, and corruption reigns supreme. Their brazen motto? ‘We have access to everything.’
And how convenient—Dr. Yunus has erased all legal cases against himself, including a jaw-dropping tax evasion scandal involving 6.66 billion taka. He has secured tax exemptions for his companies, acquired permits for a private hospital and a university, and is even reportedly eyeing a liquor license. Meanwhile, his inner circle—once struggling student leaders—now flaunt luxury cars and five-star lifestyles. The rot runs deep.
Echoes of the Past
Decades ago, former dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad attempted to appease religious hardliners by importing camels from Pakistan, sparking scenes of absurdity. Inspired by this folly, poet Shamsur Rahman penned his iconic poem, ‘Riding the Strange Camel’, a scathing critique of the nation’s blind surrender to fanaticism.
Were he alive today, he might have penned an even darker sequel: ‘Bangladesh in Reverse: A Nation on the Donkey’s Back.’
(Former Diplomat and Security Analyst)