Economy
Dr. Yunus Calls for Protection of Minorities, Unity in Bangladesh
Interim Government’s Chief Adviser and Nobel Laureate, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, today urged students and the public to safeguard the country’s minority communities, accusing certain groups of inciting unrest by attacking minorities.
“Newspapers report attacks on minority communities. Why are they suffering? Aren’t they citizens of this country? You, the students, have saved the nation—can’t you also protect minority families?” Dr. Yunus asked students participating in the anti-discriminatory movement.
During a day-long visit to Rangpur, Dr. Yunus exchanged views with students at Begum Rokeya University (BRUR). He visited the home of Shaheed Abu Sayed, a student killed in police firing during the quota reform movement, to offer his condolences to the family.
Dr. Yunus urged the students to shield Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and other minority families from harm, condemning the attacks as “heinous acts.”
“You must declare—no one can harm them. They are our brothers. We fought together, and we will remain together,” he emphasized.
He likened Bangladesh to a unified family, remarking, “There is no more beautiful family than this. Many countries exist, but none have a family as beautiful as ours.”
Expressing confidence in the youth, Dr. Yunus stated that students have the power to elevate the country to new heights. “Rangpur, Bangladesh, is now in your hands. Where do you want to take it? You have the power to shape its future. This isn’t a matter of research—it’s the power within you,” he declared.
Remembering Abu Sayed as an “epic character,” Dr. Yunus predicted that his sacrifice would inspire future literature, poems, and stories.
He praised the students and youth of Bangladesh for astonishing the world. “What you have achieved is our second victory. May this triumph remain in our hands! Only you can ensure that. We, the older generation, cannot,” he stated.
Dr. Yunus also urged older individuals to step aside, as they were hindering progress.
He stressed the importance of having a dream, stating, “Without a dream, there is chaos. But if you have a dream and pursue it, you’ll see it realized. At first, it seems impossible. But once you start, you’ll see it done. You possess the power to turn the impossible into possible. Nothing is impossible for you.”
Dr. Yunus encouraged the youth to never retreat and acknowledged that the older generation had failed to achieve what the students had accomplished. “We couldn’t do it; we failed. We couldn’t take you where you were supposed to go,” he admitted.
He warned the students not to fail this time, as many were poised to sabotage their efforts.
The Chief Adviser vowed to clean up the system, stating, “We will clean everything. We will not rest until it is done.”
Later, in a separate event at Rangpur Circuit House, Dr. Yunus addressed government officials, urging them to restore discipline. He called on them to work with dedication to transform Bangladesh into a civilized nation, promising that his government would do everything possible to uphold the lawful rights of its citizens.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
