Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has sparked outrage with his recent remarks targeting the Hindu community. Speaking in an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, Yunus urged Hindus to “not call themselves Hindus” but simply as “citizens,” claiming it would help foster inclusivity.
His statement comes amid rising attacks on Hindus and temples in Bangladesh after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024. Despite widespread documentation of violence, Yunus dismissed the reports as “fake news spread by India.”
Human rights activists and diaspora groups have strongly condemned his remarks, accusing the interim regime of denying the persecution of minorities. Last November, over 30,000 Hindus marched in Dhaka demanding justice and protection after repeated assaults on their community.
Meanwhile, Yunus’ administration has relaxed curbs on Islamist groups once banned under Hasina, with several hardline leaders released from prison. Jamaat-e-Islami, known for its anti-Hindu stance, has also begun lobbying for a role in government.
As Bangladesh faces international criticism, Yunus continues to pitch the nation as a “cheaper alternative to India” for manufacturing, even as his own minorities live in fear.
Silencing a community’s identity cannot bring unity. It only deepens wounds that never healed.
