“Go back”, “quit” slogans raised against Muhammad Yunus in New York over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh

Angry protesters shouted “go back” slogans outside a New York hotel against Bangladesh’s interim government leader Muhammad Yunus, who is in New York to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.

The protesters raised slogans against Yunus, the chief adviser to the Bangladesh interim government, over alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

The sloganeers chanted, “Go back, quit, quit, quit” and held posters that read “Sheikh Hasina our Prime Minister.”

Yunus was sworn in as head of the interim government on August 8 after Sheikh Hasina fled the country and Parliament was dissolved.

The protesters alleged that the 84-year-old Nobel laureate had come to power with “dirty politics”.

“Muhammad Yunus came to power through unconstitutional and illegal means. he/she gained power through dirty politics and many people were killed. Till now our elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has not resigned. We humbly request the UN that she did not represent the Bangladeshi people here,” Sheikh Jamal Hussain, a protester, told ANI.

Speaking to ANI, another protester DM Ronald said, “Our demand is peace. We believe in secular democracy. After gaining power by force, they started killing Hindus, Muslims and Christians, they are burning. All houses are burning, mosque is burning, Gizer Church is burning. Our people are not safe in Bangladesh.”

Another protester, Dr. Rahman, said, “I have come here to protest against the illegal, unelected person representing 117 million people of Bangladesh… he/she is not elected, he/she has been appointed by the students. he/she does not care about minorities or anyone… he/she has taken over the country illegally…”

According to the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, Yunus has several high-profile meetings scheduled on the sidelines of the UNGA, including a meeting with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday, reports Dhaka Tribune.

Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor will address the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly on September 27.

According to Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Tauhid Hossain, the chief adviser will meet the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan and Nepal as well as other leaders including the European Union president, US Secretary of State, UN Secretary General, UN human rights chief, World Bank president and USAID administrator.

The foreign advisor said that during these meetings many decisions are taken at the last moment.

Yunus will also attend a high-level event on the Rohingya crisis. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to meet the Chief Advisor. The Chief Advisor will also attend a high-level event ‘Meet the Friends of Bangladesh’.

A reception will be held to mark the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership of the United Nations, hosted by Muhammad Yunus.