Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has expressed strong frustration over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's continued public addresses from India, claiming they destabilize Bangladesh. Speaking at Chatham House, Yunus stated he personally urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevent Hasina from speaking to Bangladeshis online, but Modi responded that “social media cannot be controlled”.

Ms Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted by a student-led uprising in August 2024, continues to use social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook to broadcast messages, which Yunus says provoke anger and risk unrest in Bangladesh.

Mr. Yunus also revealed that an informal diplomatic note was sent to India requesting Hasina's extradition, which India acknowledged but has not acted upon. He expressed a desire for strong bilateral relations with India but accused segments of the Indian press, allegedly connected to policymakers, of spreading "fake news" that makes Bangladesh "very jittery."

Furthermore, Yunus confirmed that Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has initiated legal proceedings against Hasina for "crimes against humanity" committed during her final months in power, with notices served and potential Interpol involvement. The interim government, formed after Hasina's removal, is actively prosecuting former Awami League leaders. Yunus emphasized his lack of interest in joining the next elected government.

All said and done, the path that the interim government has taken is no different from Hasina’s authoritarian tactics to run the troubled state. She had banned opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamate Islami from contesting elections; Yunus too has banned her Awami League! The way Awami League leaders and grassroots cadre were targeted for past ten months by the interim government is not hidden from global eyes. The million dollar question is why Yunus, a Nobel Peace Laureate himself, and his interim government, doesn’t become change that they want to see around in Bangladesh?