DHAKA, Bangladesh (Diya TV) — Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has urged Hindus in the country to see themselves first as citizens rather than as members of a religious minority, saying this mindset will help protect their rights and promote national unity.
In an interview with commentator Mehdi Hasan, Yunus shared a direct message for the Hindu community. “My message to them, when I meet community leaders, is don’t go back and say, ‘I’m a Hindu, so protect me,’” he said. “Always say, ‘I’m a citizen of this country. I’m entitled to all the protection the state is supposed to give me.’ Then you have broader coverage.”
Yunus said Hindus should not feel “isolated” or separate from the rest of the population. Instead, he encouraged them to assert their full rights as Bangladeshi citizens. He argued that this approach would strengthen the nation’s social fabric and ensure equality for everyone, regardless of religion.
The Nobel laureate’s comments come at a time of heightened concern about religious freedom and minority rights in Bangladesh, especially following the political turmoil after the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024.
During the interview, Yunus rejected allegations that Hindus in Bangladesh have faced large-scale violence since Hasina’s departure. He described such reports as “fake news” spread by Indian media outlets.
“One of the specialities of India right now is fake news — a barrage of fake news,” Yunus told Hasan. He claimed that many stories about attacks on temples and Hindu homes were based on false information. According to Yunus, most reported incidents stemmed from local disputes over land or neighborhood issues, not religious hatred.
He also dismissed international media reports about attacks on Hindu temples and community leaders following the political transition. “The government is very alert on that because this is one thing India is always pushing, bringing pressure,” he said. When Hasan cited documented cases of mob violence and the arrest of a Hindu monk for hoisting a religious flag, Yunus insisted that these too were part of a “misinformation campaign.”
Yunus took office as head of Bangladesh’s interim government after Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024 and fled to India. Since then, his administration has faced criticism from both domestic and international observers for alleged human rights violations and the growing influence of Islamist groups.
Rights organizations and Hindu advocacy groups have accused the interim government of failing to protect minority communities. Several global watchdogs have called for independent investigations into attacks and threats against Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.
Yunus, however, maintains that his government is committed to protecting all citizens equally. He said authorities are working to ensure peace and order across the country and warned against misinformation that could inflame religious tensions. Despite political unrest, Yunus also used the interview to promote Bangladesh’s economic prospects. He said the country offers a competitive edge for investors, particularly compared to India.
“India faces much higher US tariffs than Bangladesh,” he said. “Soon, Indian industries may leave and come to us to manufacture because it is so much cheaper.”
The interim leader said his government aims to attract more foreign investment to revive Bangladesh’s slowing economy. He highlighted the nation’s access to key export markets and lower production costs as advantages for global manufacturers.
Yunus’s comments highlight a broader debate about identity and citizenship in Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country where Hindus make up about 8% of the population.
