Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus is set to head Bangladesh’s interim government. Indian former diplomats, security experts, and Bangladesh specialists believe he is currently the most acceptable choice for this role.
Professor Sreeradha Datta of OP Jindal University, an expert in international relations, stated that Dr. Yunus enjoys international recognition and acceptance. He is an inspiring figure to students, who look up to him for motivation.
According to Sreeradha, Sheikh Hasina tried to sideline Yunus. While Hasina and the Awami League maintained close ties with India, the current situation makes Dr. Yunus the most acceptable alternative.
Riva Ganguly Das, a former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, told Deutsche Welle, “I don’t know Dr. Yunus personally. He has been away from Bangladesh for a long time. As for India’s stance, Foreign Minister Jaishankar’s statement has made it clear.”
Former IPS officer Shantanu Mukherjee, who has worked in Bangladesh, also said that Dr. Yunus is the best choice under the current circumstances. Mukherjee believes that Yunus is an acceptable figure to the Western world and the students. He is also seen as credible by the military and can maintain balance.
However, Mukherjee pointed out that Yunus’s foremost task is to quell the violence and ensure the protection of minorities.
Veteran journalist Jayanta Raychaudhuri also considers Nobel laureate Yunus a highly acceptable figure to the United States and other Western countries, making him the best option in the current situation. He holds both international recognition and domestic acceptance, and he is also a credible figure to India.
Unforeseen Changes
Indian experts admit they did not anticipate such rapid political changes in Bangladesh.
Riva Ganguly, the former Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, remarked that while there was known discontent and ongoing student protests following the government’s formation, the swift escalation of the movement was unexpected.
Sreeradha also noted that India appears surprised by the situation, indicating that the Indian government was unprepared for such developments.
