Protesters Demand Resignation of Muhammad Yunus at UN General Assembly

NEW YORK: Vociferous protesters gathered outside a New York hotel where Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, is staying during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The demonstrators called for Yunus's resignation amid allegations of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

Chanting slogans like “Go back, Step down, Step down,” the protesters displayed signs declaring their support for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Yunus assumed his role as chief advisor of the interim government on August 8, following Hasina's departure from the country and the dissolution of parliament.

The protesters accused the 84-year-old Nobel Laureate of seizing power through “dirty politics,” claiming he did so “unconstitutionally and illegally.” One protester, Sheikh Jamal Hussain, expressed his views, saying, “Muhammad Yunus took power with dirty politics, and many people have died. Our elected PM Sheikh Hasina has not resigned, and we humbly request the UN to recognize that he does not represent the Bangladeshi people here.”

Another protester, DM Ronald, emphasized their demand for peace and secular democracy, stating, “After he took power by force, he started killing Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. Our people are not safe in Bangladesh.”

Dr. Rahman, another demonstrator, voiced frustration about Yunus representing Bangladesh, saying, “I am here to protest an illegal, unelected person representing 117 million people. He doesn’t care about minorities or anyone else; he has illegally occupied the country.”

According to the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yunus has several high-profile meetings planned during the UNGA, including one with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday. He is also set to address the General Debate of the UNGA on September 27.

Yunus's agenda includes meetings with leaders such as the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Nepal, as well as the President of the European Union, the US Secretary of State, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Human Rights Chief, the World Bank President, and the USAID Administrator. Additionally, he will participate in a high-level side event regarding the Rohingya crisis and host a reception celebrating Bangladesh’s 50th anniversary as a UN member.

Moreover, on Monday, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss mutual interests and strengthen ties between the two neighboring countries, as announced by the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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