Bangladeshi Minorities Protest Muhammad Yunus Outside UN Headquarters, Demand Elections

Supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina staged a protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York against Muhammad Yunus. The protesters raised concerns over the treatment of minority communities in Bangladesh, claiming that Hindus and other minorities are facing increased atrocities since Yunus assumed power.

During the protest, demonstrators reportedly chanted slogans such as, “Yunus is Pakistani! Go back to Pakistan,” and demanded immediate elections in Bangladesh. They also called for an end to violence against minority communities in the country.

Protesters Demand Yunus Step Down

The demonstrators alleged that after August 5, 2024, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh for security reasons, allowing Yunus to take control of the country illegally. They claimed that since then, minority communities, particularly Hindus, have faced killings and forced displacement.

Protesters said, “The situation in Bangladesh is very serious. Yunus should step down and hold elections to restore democracy and protect minorities.”

Allegations of Extremism

The protesters accused Muhammad Yunus of attempting to turn Bangladesh into a Taliban-style or terrorist state. They also called for the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former ISKCON priest arrested in Bangladesh last year on sedition charges. The arrest of the Hindu priest had sparked widespread criticism in Bangladesh, with courts repeatedly rejecting his bail pleas.

UN General Assembly Context

The protest coincided with global leaders gathering at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. Yunus delivered a speech at the session on Friday, while protesters outside highlighted their concerns about human rights and the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.