Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has voiced concern over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s continued outreach to Bangladeshis from India, saying her ongoing presence and broadcasts are stoking unrest at home. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Yunus said he had personally appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restrict Hasina from making online speeches that he believes are destabilising post-crisis Bangladesh.

"The fury now is directed at India, because she’s there," Yunus said during the interaction. "I told Prime Minister Modi: if you’ve decided to host her, I can’t oppose that. But at least help us stop her from addressing the Bangladeshi public in the way she is doing."

Hasina, who fled to India following her removal from office during a student-led uprising in August 2024, continues to post pre-scheduled addresses on platforms like Facebook and YouTube, which Yunus claims are triggering mass discontent across Bangladesh.

“She announces her broadcasts in advance and the entire country reacts with fury. This isn’t just a political issue anymore—it’s an emotional one,” Yunus noted. “When I asked Mr Modi about it, he simply said, ‘It’s social media, we can’t control it.’ That kind of response isn’t enough in such a volatile situation.”

Diplomatic Efforts and Extradition Push

Yunus revealed that an informal diplomatic communication had been sent to India requesting Hasina’s extradition. While Indian officials acknowledged receiving the note, there has been no official movement toward handing her over.

“We’re following due process—we want this to be legal, measured, and proper,” Yunus said. “We’re not looking for confrontation with India. But the circulation of false reports in the Indian press, some of which appear to be tied to powerful actors, continues to complicate relations.”

He further disclosed that legal proceedings have been launched against Hasina by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. The former leader is accused of committing serious human rights violations during her final weeks in power. Notices have reportedly been issued, and Interpol may be involved if the case progresses.

Yunus warned that misinformation campaigns on social platforms remain a serious threat to the country’s fragile political transition.

Political Transition and Stability

Now 84, Yunus reiterated his commitment to staying outside electoral politics. Neither he nor his advisory team plan to be part of the future elected government, he said.

Yunus assumed leadership of the transitional administration on August 8, just three days after the ousting of Hasina’s government in a mass student-led revolt. The crackdown that preceded the fall of her administration reportedly resulted in hundreds of casualties and led to a wave of resignations, defections, and arrests. The Awami League was formally dissolved shortly after the upheaval.

Since then, several prominent student figures have gone on to form the National Citizen Party (NCP), which has the backing of the interim administration. Trials against senior members of the former regime, both in Bangladesh and abroad, are underway under charges of crimes against humanity and abuses linked to the summer 2024 crackdown.