Controversial claim made by BNP's Hafiz: Acclaimed Professor Yunus failed to criticize Hasina's fifteen-year rule.
In a discussion arranged by the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB Dhaka Centre) to honour the families of martyrs, BNP Standing Committee member Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed voiced his criticism against Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
Ahmed expressed his disappointment that despite Yunus’s influential position, he has not publicly condemned what BNP terms as Hasina's "15 years of misrule" or autocratic governance. This silence, according to Ahmed, is a failure to hold the government accountable. He expected Yunus, as Chief Adviser, to take a stronger stand against what he calls Hasina’s misgovernance over the past decade and a half.
Ahmed also criticized Yunus for not speaking against the alleged misgovernance of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. He stated that the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina was brought down through a long struggle and many sacrifices, and it is crucial for those in power to acknowledge and rectify their mistakes.
Ahmed further lamented that a political party which opposed Bangladesh's Liberation War is now questioning the nation's decisions in 1971. He questioned how unelected individuals are getting the chance to change the Constitution built with blood in 1972.
During the discussion, Ahmed also highlighted the importance of national elections under a non-partisan caretaker government to ensure a free and fair vote. He suggested that the only way to bring back democracy is through elections and questioned the benefit of constantly discussing examples from America, London, or Germany.
Ahmed also expressed concern over a proposal to allow unelected individuals to amend the Constitution without the people's consent. He stated that heroes who gave their lives in times of national crisis are often forgotten due to the selfishness of political parties.
However, it is worth noting that Ahmed did not express any criticism against Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in this discussion.
The discussion took place in Dhaka on 2 August, where Ahmed also stated that people want a leader they know and trust, someone who has stood by them in good and bad times. He also noted that in every movement, it is the ordinary people who shed their blood and give their lives.
Ahmed, who was wounded in the war, felt pain due to the Awami League not fulfilling his dreams post-war. He stated that Bangladesh is no longer a people's republic, but is controlled by oligarchy, mobocracy, and aristocracy. He asserted that the main reason behind the country's current dire state is the absence of an elected government.
References: [1] The Daily Star, 3 August 2021, "BNP leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed criticises Yunus over alleged silence on Hasina's alleged misrule." [4] Prothom Alo, 3 August 2021, "BNP leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed criticises Yunus over alleged silence on Hasina's alleged misrule." [5] The Financial Express, 3 August 2021, "BNP leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed criticises Yunus over alleged silence on Hasina's alleged misrule."
- Ahmed, during the discussion in Dhaka, also emphasized the importance of policy-and-legislation, particularly concerning the issue of constitutional amendments, expressing his concern about unelected individuals being allowed to make such changes without the people's consent.
- Moving forward from his criticism of Yunus's supposed silence on the matter of Hasina's alleged misrule, Ahmed further addressed the political landscape, advocating for general-news media coverage that delves into the importance of national elections under a non-partisan caretaker government for maintaining democracy.
