In an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle, the chief adviser. Muhammad Yunus talked about the various initiatives taken in the first month of the interim government and the work plan for the coming days. Interviewed by Arafatul Islam
Deutsche Welle: It's been a month since you took over as Chief Advisor What have you prioritized over the past few weeks?
Dr. Muhammad Yunus: I am not supposed to give priority. Priorities have come to the fore. I didn't even get a chance to pick. Peace and order comes first. Since we are coming through the revolution, we have formed the government, so the first duty is to restore peace and order. Emphasis is placed on it. Such a revolution has never happened before in the history of Bangladesh. The general public has come forward with the students. There was no one who did not feel a part in it. Joined this movement regardless of public opinion. We carry a great responsibility. Here is the revolution and here is the dream. We will build a new Bangladesh by bringing back peace and order. Human desires are unlimited. We have many responsibilities. The economy had become a chaotic, fragile economy. That's why people are so angry. Everything is loot. It was a government of loot. Therefore, to establish a real government, a people's government from that booty government - this is also a desire of the people. And wants to see it quickly. We try to do them. We did as much as we could within a month.
Deutsche Welle: In addition to state reform, demands for rewriting the constitution have also been raised It is said that democracy cannot be established without rewriting the constitution. How do you see the matter?
Dr. Muhammad Yunus: It is a great opportunity. I do not know whether this opportunity will come again in the life of the nation. Let it be normal not to come. Hands should be given to the foundation, hands should be given to the constitution. So the question is, should the constitution be rewritten, or will this constitution be amended? There are differences of opinion on this. Therefore, the Commission will consider, judge and agree. Selection will be based on this. Until this happens, we cannot fix the outline of the election. What kind of elections will be held, what elections will be held—everything will be within the constitution. The brand name of the whole movement is Sanskar. Reform is the desire. We share that desire. We have taken it upon ourselves to fulfill that desire to the highest degree.
[Note, in the address to the nation yesterday (September 11), the government announced the formation of six commissions to reform the electoral system, police administration and constitutional institutions. Yunus. Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik appointed as head of Constitution Reform Commission]
Deutsche Welle: The economy of Bangladesh has been going through various crises for the past few years Dollar crisis, bank robberies in the name of loans and money laundering abroad have intensified the crisis, according to experts In recent times, various movements including labor unrest have also affected exports What obstacles do you see in getting business and the economy back to a satisfactory position?
Dr. Muhammad Yunus: An Economy of Looting. His only aim was to make his own money. 60 thousand crore rupees have been printed only for their benefit. But they did not pay attention to the inflation of people. The banking system has destroyed the whole thing. There was no such thing as a central bank. All these have to be rebuilt. Everything has to be done anew. If you want to save the country, you have to do it if you want to take it forward. The foundation has to be made to fulfill the desire. Some order has come. I have not done everything. There is a shortage of foreign exchange. Big projects have been taken up. Huge sums of debt have been taken, and it is our turn to repay them. They have taken, taken possession of Bhog. Now the people have to pay the money. Where will the payment money come from and how will it come is our big concern. We do not want to be a country in front of the world that cannot keep its promises. We want to keep our promises. We want to put the economy on a strong foundation so that this situation does not happen in the future.
Deutsche Welle: Since the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government in a student-led coup, the issue of good governance has been the subject of much discussion. In particular, it has been claimed from various quarters that civil rights, people's right to security, right to police service have not been fully guaranteed yet. What is your assessment on this matter?
Dr. Muhammad Yunus: We are trying, but not completely. Many people who were in important positions of public administration have fled. Or those who have, their colleagues are terribly angry with them. They resigned in the face of protests. So a huge void has been created. It is difficult to fill this gap in public administration. He gave it to him, why didn't he give it to him, etc., and so on. So from this we are telling people, look, we are doing what we think is right. We do one thing, trust us. A lot has changed. The Chief Justice has been appointed. All the VCs are gone. VCs are being appointed, along with proVCs. And everyone is happy with this appointment. The judicial system will start again. We have to make many changes together. The situation is improving.
Deutsche Welle: According to the Bangladesh Ministry of Health, more than 1,000 people lost their lives during the July-August movement. Are you satisfied with the steps taken so far by your government in the trial of these murders?
Dr. Muhammad Yunus: No, it is not time to be satisfied yet. Our first focus is listing, which you mentioned. We are building a database with everyone's information. Our fear is that if we do not do this, fake martyrs etc. will start in a few days. So we want to avoid it. We have promised that we will take the responsibility of every martyr's family. We will accept from the government. So its number should be fixed. So that after a year no one can come and say that my family is a family of martyrs. We are finding out. We made a foundation. A permanent foundation to look after their families. We are taking a program to match those who are alive.
Deutsche Welle: Attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh have been heard several times over the past few decades under different governments Two organizations named Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad and Hindu Mahajot said that such attacks happened during the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government. Various peaceful programs have also been seen on the streets demanding an end to the persecution of minorities in the last few weeks What do you think can be a permanent solution in this case?
Dr. Muhammad Yunus: It is not a single problem of Bangladesh. All countries have problems with minorities. America also has problems with minorities. It is the responsibility of the government not to do this. Everyone deserves constitutional rights. We have not divided Hindu's, Muslim's or Buddhist's. It is the responsibility of the government to establish these rights. Once these rights are established, the question of religious division will not arise. As long as it is not established, we have to take responsibility. But I will say that the amount of publicity is not coming to our attention. We are checking again and again. But it doesn't seem like anything that big is actually happening. Many are using it for political reasons. Whatever is happening should not happen, we will go towards zero.
Deutsche Welle: India is Bangladesh's biggest neighbor and the two countries are interdependent in many ways But since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, known as 'India's strongest ally', experts feel that there is a kind of tension between the two countries. What factors do you take into account when dealing with neighbors?
Dr. Muhammad Yunus: India is our neighbor and our only neighbor. Because we have India from all sides. So we should and will have the best relationship with him. Apart from this, we have no change, neither do they. No one would benefit from an adversarial relationship between the two countries. We will make every effort to maintain the best relationship. Taking friendship to the highest level - this is our initiative. There is international law on water sharing agreements. The ongoing dispute between the two countries will be resolved only if the two countries accept international law. Sark was like a family. Let's see if we can get back to that structure. Not only with India, all countries in South Asia should maintain friendly relations with each other. We want to build it as a peaceful zone. I will try to activate SAARC and BIMSTEC by avoiding obstacles.
Deutsche Welle: There were specific allegations that Awami League supporters were preferred in many cases in the recruitment process of the previous government. Many posts have been changed since the interim government took over under your leadership Apart from this, the complaint has also started to arise that in some positions, new people are being appointed, and in some cases, people familiar with different political identities are not getting the upper hand. What is your assessment in this regard?
Dr. Muhammad Yunus: You can see it the other way around. Since he is in civil service, he will get a posting. No one could do anything here without the team. We have to try so that the team does not come. Not in this party, not in that party - no one can be found in Bangladesh. It should be done in such a way that the group does not become heavy. Since we don't have our own party, we can look impartially.
Deutsche Welle: When can the next election be held in Bangladesh? How optimistic are you about establishing an inclusive democracy through that election?
Dr. Muhammad Yunus: I am absolutely optimistic. If not, this government will have no money. must be selected. Let it be accepted as the best election in the history of Bangladesh. Then I will think that our time has been worthwhile. For that, environment needs to be created, law is needed. If there is a constitution, election law, election commission will be formed. Get their opinion. The main thing of this government is reform. This reform must be completed. This opportunity will not come back in life. Our everything collapsed - not like that. Everything will not suddenly go to zero. Old Bangladesh is over. This is new Bangladesh, we will wake up as citizens of new Bangladesh.
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