Yunus’ removal from his post and the reaction of the international community echoed very differently for many in Bangladesh particularly the media and the pro-government groups. Bangladeshi society and the international community have been closely following the developments surrounding Yunus’ removal. People have different views on this matter and the increasing pressure coming from the States; one thing that I was really wondering lately was how people in academia in Bangladesh approach the recent debate. Well, I asked an academic and he answered. Here is what I asked a young academic, Sajedur Rahman Sajib and his take on the matter.
Q1 Bangladesh is a very dynamic society. Every day new things happen. However, GB has been working quietly for some time and all of a sudden an earthquake hit GB and things never got back to normal for the last a couple of months. How can we make sense of these developments?
Q2 Can you tell me about the reaction you feel or observe in Bangladeshi society (rural and urban) and in the academia and particularly Jahangirnagar U about the recent allegations and Central Bank's decision?
Q3 What the current government's gain could be by doing all these in Yunus matter? also now US' intervention into the matter? What to say about that?
Sajedur Rahman Sajib, Department of Government and Politics from Jahangirnagar University:
I am not happy with the Govt decision on GB. Dr. Yunus and GB are synonymous in Bangladesh and Dr.Yunus contributed a lot for making a positive image of Bangladesh. I think, the withdrawal of Dr. Yunus will definitely hamper the relationship with friend countries of the nation. I think, alternative solution can be reached by mutual understanding as there may be some legal boundaries .
The game behind the curtain is unclear but it seems that there may be a political motives and personal clash behind it. It is alleged that there is a role of Dr. Yunus in making the military back caretaker Govt and at that time current chief of the govt Sheikh Hasina faced political suppression and house arrest.
The reaction of people here is mixed. In Jahangirnagar University, most of my colleagues are not happy with the matter. But other people’s reactions in village and town are mixed. Some people take it a positive move of the govt as GB has a bad reputation as a blood sucker in a good portion of people. But it is true that it is impossible to make happy all portion of the people at a time.
The current Government is playing zero-some game on the issue. Dr Yunus deserves a honorable departure for his huge contribution. The Govt policy certainly hampers the nation’s relation with western world which is very important for her development goal. The US intervention in internal affairs of a third world country is very common in this unipolar current world order but this time it seems that the US carefully watching the development here.
I would like to thank Sajedur Rahman Sajib for his time and for sharing his insights through this blog.
