Who is More Languid?

In March, Central Bank sent two letters to GB. One claiming that Muhammad Yunus is violating the country’s retirement age policy and the second letter saying that his last position was never properly approved by them. Government has five percent share at Grameen and GB was established under a special law that allows GB to operate only in rural villages of Bangladesh. For the last 11 years, Yunus is at his early 70s now, Central Bank had no objection to his so-called illegal chairing at Grameen. While the recent allegations and PM’s harsh comments about Yunus were still in the memories of many who felt very offended, the sudden move by the Central Bank raised huge doubts about the timing and sincerity of the recent developments and many believe that clock actually started ticking for Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Is Bangladeshi political climate ready for a third popular party? Seems like the answer is no. If Yunus had joined one of the main two political parties, either BNP or Awami Leage, would things have been different? Or if Yunus had said the current political parties were good enough and there was no need for new ones, would Hasina have said Yunus was sucking the blood of poor people? Sheikh Hasina is 64 now. Can’t help wondering if same retirement age rule applies to her who would take her spot; a younger person or a person with her last name? Hasina must have been in a very different mood when she made those comments.

Yunus’ initial attempt to challenge the order of his firing from his position was turned down by the local courts, for some in a very unusual process in which the judge just listened the Government’s lawyers but did not find necessary to ask the Central Bank authorities to back up their claims with any written documents. Now, the Supreme Court is dealing with the case. Supreme Court has been making progressive decisions in Bangladesh on a more secular ground. However, in a highly politically interventionist climate and people are still holding their breath.

When I went to his room to meet with Yunus, I did not find a languid person. I found a person who hangs on life outside GB's tall building in Mirpur-2 and who was bothered by not being able to accomplish his dreams yet!

Around 500 hundred people gathered recently in Paris to support Yunus. The meeting is considered as the beginning of protests in Europe.