‘World’s worst autocratic govt’: Bangladesh chief adviser Yunus targets Sheikh Hasina in ‘Victory Day’ speech

Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on Monday targeted deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina labelling her administration as the “world’s worst autocratic government.” He described this year’s 54th Vijay Diwas celebrations, that led to the country’s liberation in 1971, as particularly significant after her removal as prime minister.
“I recall the millions of martyrs including numerous children and juveniles, youths and the elderly people’s sacrifices that made possible the achievement of our independence,” Yunus said in a televised speech, news agency PTI reported.
Yunus emphasised that the removal of the “world’s worst autocratic government (Hasina’s Awami League regime)” and its subsequent flight amid a mass uprising added extra significance to this year’s celebration.
The 84-year-old Yunus continued, “Because of our faults we could not give completeness to our achievements” and of late a “monstrous autocratic government had grabbed the country which virtually promised that it will not allow anything to remain which could benefit the country”.
In his address, however, Yunus made no reference to the political leadership of 1971 or the country’s founding leader, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier in the day, in a statement marking the defeat of Pakistani forces in Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971, deposed PM Sheikh Hasina referred to the interim government led by Yunus as an “undemocratic group” that is “secretly supporting anti-liberation extremist-communal forces.”
She condemned the Nobel laureate Yunus, calling him a “fascist” seeking to suppress the spirit of the Liberation War and pro-liberation forces.
“This undemocratic group, led by the fascist Yunus, has no responsibility towards the people. They are seizing power and obstructing all public welfare work,” she said.
“As this government is not democratically elected, it has no accountability to the people. Their main aim is to suppress the spirit of the Liberation War and the pro-liberation forces, silencing their voices,” Hasina said.”The lack of sensitivity of the leaders of this government, including the fascist Yunus, towards the Liberation War and its history is evident in every step they take,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh after a student-led uprising ousted her on August 5, accused the interim government of trying to erase “progressive ideals,” along with the history and spirit of the Liberation War, and removing “all traces of the Great War of Liberation from national life.”
Victory Day or Vijay Diwas marks the historic occasion when Pakistani military forces surrendered to India, resulting in Bangladesh’s independence. At Savar, near the capital, both Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin visited the National Memorial separately to pay tribute to the countless martyrs of the Liberation War.
The celebrations on Monday included the traditional playing of the last post by Army bugles during a moment of silence. Breaking from established practice since independence, Bangladesh opted not to hold the customary Victory Day Parade in the capital.
Liberation war affairs adviser Farook-e-Azam explained the reason for this departure to the Daily Star newspaper and said, “The army is currently engaged in activities across the country, and organising the parade requires advance preparation, which wasn’t feasible this year.”