In a politically turbulent time, the interim government in Bangladesh, led by controversial Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has embarked on a campaign against Awami League (AL) leaders across the country. This nefarious mission, known as ‘Operation Devil Hunt,’ has sparked widespread concern and condemnation.
Mass Arrest of Awami League Leaders and Supporters:
On February 8, 2025, the interim government launched ‘Operation Devil Hunt,’ a mass arrest campaign targeting Awami League leaders and supporters. The operation was triggered by violent clashes between student protesters and Awami League supporters in Gazipur, leading to a significant crackdown on AL members. The Home Ministry labeled the clashes as terrorist attacks, providing a pretext for the mass arrests. In a shocking move, 7,301 people have been detained in connection to the Gazipur incident, with most detainees belonging to the Awami League. This witchhunt has now spread to other regions, including Cumilla and Noakhali, and is being executed by multiple security forces.
Muhammad Yunus as ‘Mute Spectator’ and Facilitator of Persecution:
Yunus has remained a mute spectator and facilitator of the persecution of the Awami League, as well as the erasure of its historical significance in Bangladesh’s independence. Despite the vandalism of residences and murals of Awami League leaders, and the arson attack on the home of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, Yunus has neither condemned nor taken action against these acts. This indifference extends to attacks on the homes of ex-President Abdul Hamid and former Bangladeshi army chief Moeen U. Ahmed.
Interim Government and Its Attempt to Eradicate the Awami League:
The interim government has also attempted to eradicate the Awami League politically. Plans to ban the party faced resistance from rival political factions. However, in October 2024, the student wing of the Awami League, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, was banned. Yunus’s regime has consistently excluded the Awami League from participating in what it terms a “democratic” Bangladesh.
BNP and Muhammad Yunus Are ‘Natural Allies’:
The alignment of Yunus with the BNP is evident. Both Yunus and the BNP share a common disdain for Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League. Post-Hasina’s ouster, Yunus celebrated the event as the ‘Second Liberation Day,’ and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia lauded the efforts of those involved. Both the BNP and the Yunus regime have perpetuated anti-India rhetoric, with BNP historically supporting insurgents and calling for boycotts of Indian goods. While Yunus has refrained from endorsing the ‘India Out’ campaign, he has placated anti-India sentiments by withholding exports of Hilsa fish. His regime’s rhetoric and actions have shown a clear bias towards Islamic nationalism, often at the expense of religious minorities.
In January, the Yunus regime introduced new textbooks that falsely attribute the first declaration of Bangladesh’s independence to Ziaur Rehman, founder of BNP, instead of Mujibur Rehman. This move underscores Yunus’s agenda to distort history and diminish the Awami League’s role in the country’s liberation.
It is now evident that Muhammad Yunus, his advisors, and student activists are orchestrating a systematic effort to ban the Awami League and erase its political presence. The draconian ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ is part of a broader strategy to suppress the party and reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Muhammad Yunus’s role as a mute spectator and facilitator of persecution highlights his complicity in the attempt to dismantle the Awami League and distort Bangladesh’s history of independence. The future of Bangladesh’s democracy and political integrity remains uncertain under his regime.
Deepanwita Martin, Sub Editor The Voice.