Former advisers to the interim government have condemned the ongoing harassment, online smear campaigns and physical threats against former chief adviser and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, saying the attacks are aimed at undermining the credibility of the interim government.
In a statement issued today (13 October), they expressed outrage over "malicious misinformation" and "physical threats" against Yunus, accusing certain political groups and vested interests of using such tactics to create instability and undermine the interim government's credibility and public acceptance.
The statement was signed by economist Salehuddin Ahmed, economist M Fouzul Kabir Khan, academic C R Abrar, Dhaka University law professor Asif Nazrul, Supreme Court senior advocate Adilur Rahman Khan, retired Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Choudhury, retired Brigadier General Dr Sakhawat Hussain, Faruk E Azam BP, Farida Akhter, executive director of UBINIG, sociologist and Brotee founder and chief executive Sharmeen Soneya Murshid, film director Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, and Supreme Court advocate Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
Earlier in the day, a 1-minute-5-second video surfacing on social media shows several people approaching Yunus, who was seated in a wheelchair, and shouting slogans at him inside the airport premises.
The people were heard shouting, "You are a terrorist" and "Why did you come here?" They also accused Yunus of undermining democracy in Bangladesh. The footage shows Yunus moving forward with security personnel and associates as the group continue shouting at him.
The date and time of the incident could not be independently confirmed as of publication.
In their statement, the former advisers said the interim government led by Yunus had faced the "Herculean task" of rebuilding a nation shattered by years of unrestrained economic plunder, the collapse of democratic institutions and corruption, systemic tyranny and gross human rights violations.
They credited the interim government with ending enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, which they said had been regularly carried out under the previous regime.
The signatories noted that the interim government handed over power in February 2026 to a government elected through "a free and fair general election."
They expressed hope that efforts to rebuild democratic institutions, ensure justice for victims of the previous regime and defend human rights would continue.
"No amount of intimidation, falsehoods, online harassment, or personal threats will ever break our resolve for the changes July promised," the statement said.
They added that the people's demand for reform and dignity, achieved through the sacrifices of young people and others, could not be erased by propaganda or attempts by the ousted regime and its supporters.
Meanwhile, the government condemned the incident, saying Bangladesh's mission in New York had been asked to work with local law enforcement to identify those involved and pursue legal action.
The government also said a group suspected of having links to the Awami League, whose political activities are currently banned, appeared to be behind the incident.