‘Go Back’: Bangladesh’s Former Interim Chief Yunus Confronted by Protesters at JFK Airport
WASHINGTON: Muhammad Yunus, Nobel laureate and former head of Bangladesh’s interim government, faced protests from a group of Bangladeshi expatriates at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York. Protesters confronted Yunus with allegations over his administration’s handling of political unrest and law and order in Bangladesh.
According to videos circulating on social media, the incident took place when Yunus arrived at Terminal 8 after travelling via Doha on a Qatar Airways flight. As he was being escorted in a wheelchair, protesters gathered around him and shouted slogans, including “Go back” and accusations describing him as a “killer”.
The demonstrators alleged that Yunus was responsible for the deaths of thousands of police personnel and the detention of around 200,000 people during his tenure. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Airport security personnel subsequently escorted Yunus and his associate, Lamia Morshed, back inside the terminal amid the commotion.
Awami League supporters suspected
Reports suggested that some of the protesters were supporters of the Awami League, the party led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, whose government collapsed in August 2024 following widespread protests.
However, the identities and political affiliations of those involved have not been officially confirmed. Yunus has not issued an immediate public response to the incident.
Bangladesh’s political turmoil
The protest comes against the backdrop of continuing political tensions in Bangladesh following Hasina’s ouster in August 2024. Yunus subsequently took charge as the chief adviser of the interim government, which faced mounting criticism over its handling of violence, public security and political instability.
Critics and political opponents have accused the interim administration of failing to restore law and order. The allegations have remained a point of contention in Bangladesh’s deeply polarised political environment.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh government adviser Zahid Ur Rahman reportedly said authorities in Dhaka would take legal action against those involved in the protest. Further details about the proposed action were not immediately available.
The airport confrontation has brought renewed attention to the political divisions within Bangladesh and the continuing fallout from the change of government. It also highlights the tensions surrounding Yunus’s administration and its handling of the country’s post-Hasina transition.
