Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus was heavily scrutinised after he spoke passionately during the funeral services of Sharif Osman Hadi. As one of the country’s most prominent youth leaders, Hadi had a very controversial and anti-Indian position. Yunus was speaking at the funeral service held at South Plaza, Dhaka.
Yunus says that Hadi would live “forever in the hearts of all Bangladeshis.”
Yunus indicated that the reason everyone had come together for the funeral service was not just to say goodbye to Hadi but to promise that they would continue to follow Hadi’s vision and carry on his legacy. Also, the Chief Adviser believed that many people admire the way that Hadi approached politics and public life.
An uproar across Bangladesh and intensified political divisions were created after the murder of Hadi (Junaid Hasan), who was popular amongst youth during protests earlier this year that ultimately saw an end to the previous government. Hadi’s reputation was made by speaking out against the Indian government and their political and economic power in the region.
Is Muhammad Yunus Leaning Into Anti-India Rhetoric
Some believe that Yunus’s public display of support for Hadi indicates an even stronger association with extremist nationalist ideologies. While some analysts believe that this type of rhetoric will create further resentment towards Bangladesh’s long-time ally (India), it will also make future negotiations with that country more difficult.
Supporters of Yunus see it as an attempt by Yunus to unite his entire country under a common vision.
Ultimately, this incident highlights the very fragile state in which the leadership of Bangladesh must operate between their domestic political interests and their international relationships, especially leading up to the upcoming election, and determining how to frame these narratives is critical not only for the stability of Bangladesh.
