On September 26, 2025, a group of people gathered outside the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City to protest against Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh. These protesters, mostly Bangladeshi people living in the United States, were supporters of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was removed from power in August 2024. They were upset with Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and accused him of poor leadership and favoring certain groups. This article explains what happened, why people were protesting, and the background of the situation in simple terms.
What Happened During the Protest?
The protest took place during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a big meeting where world leaders discuss global issues. The demonstrators shouted slogans like “Yunus is Pakistani. Go back to Pakistan!” They also held up signs with messages like “Stop Killing” and “Free Chinmoy Krishna Das.” These slogans and signs showed their anger toward Yunus, whom they blamed for problems in Bangladesh.
The protesters accused Yunus of:
- Bias toward certain groups: They claimed he was supporting Islamist groups, like Jamaat-e-Islami, which they believe are harmful to Bangladesh.
- Poor governance: They said his leadership has caused chaos and failed to protect people, especially religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.
- Mistreatment of minorities: They alleged that since Yunus took over, there have been attacks on minorities, including killings and forcing people to leave their homes.
- Unlawful leadership: They argued that Yunus’s interim government is illegal because he was not elected, and they demanded that he step down immediately.
The protesters also called for the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk they believe is being unfairly held in prison under Yunus’s government. They demanded quick elections to replace the current government with a democratically chosen one.
Why Are People Angry?
The protest is part of a bigger conflict in Bangladesh. Here’s a simple explanation of what led to this event:
- Sheikh Hasina’s Removal: Sheikh Hasina was Bangladesh’s Prime Minister for 15 years until August 5, 2024, when a youth-led uprising forced her to leave the country. Many of her supporters believe she was unfairly removed and that her government was better at keeping Bangladesh peaceful and secular (treating all religions equally).
- Yunus’s Leadership: After Hasina left, Muhammad Yunus, known for his work in microfinance (helping poor people with small loans), became the interim leader on August 8, 2024. His job is to run the country until new elections happen, planned for 2026. However, Hasina’s supporters think Yunus is not doing a good job and is favoring groups that could harm Bangladesh’s secular values.
- Violence Against Minorities: The protesters claimed that since Yunus took over, there has been an increase in violence against religious minorities. They said millions of people have been forced to leave their homes, and some have been killed. They even called Bangladesh a “semi-Taliban nation” under Yunus, comparing it to a place with extreme and violent rule.
- Tensions with India: During his speech at the UNGA, Yunus criticized India for giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after leaving Bangladesh. This has caused tension between Bangladesh and India, and the protesters, many of whom support Hasina, were upset about this.
Who is Muhammad Yunus?
Muhammad Yunus is a well-known figure in Bangladesh and around the world. In 2006, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for creating the Grameen Bank, which gives small loans to poor people to help them start businesses and improve their lives. He is respected for his work in fighting poverty, but his role as Bangladesh’s interim leader has made him a target of criticism from Hasina’s supporters.
In his UNGA speech, Yunus praised the 2024 uprising that removed Hasina, saying it brought back the spirit of Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 (when the country was formed after breaking away from Pakistan). However, his critics, like the protesters, believe he is not the right person to lead the country and accuse him of making things worse.
Image Credit TO ANI
The Bigger Picture
The protest shows how divided people are about Bangladesh’s future. Sheikh Hasina’s supporters believe her government was better at protecting all citizens and keeping the country stable. They see Yunus’s leadership as a step backward, accusing him of allowing violence and supporting groups that could harm Bangladesh’s secular identity.
On the other hand, those who support Yunus and the 2024 uprising believe Hasina’s government was too controlling and that the uprising was necessary to bring change. They see Yunus as someone trying to fix the country’s problems and prepare it for fair elections in 2026.
What’s Next?
The protests highlight the challenges Yunus faces as Bangladesh’s interim leader. With elections planned for 2026, his government will need to address concerns about violence, governance, and fairness to regain trust. Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi diaspora and people in Bangladesh continue to express their views through protests, social media, and other platforms. For example, recent posts on X have shared pictures of the protest signs and slogans, showing how strongly some people feel about this issue.
This situation is a reminder of how complex leadership changes can be, especially in a country with a diverse population and a history of political struggles. The world will be watching to see how Bangladesh moves forward in the coming months.
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