Staff Reporter :
In response to escalating unrest, fuelled by both local and international conspiracies, Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has made a passionate appeal for national unity to guide Bangladesh through its ongoing crisis.
The appeal was conveyed by his press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, during a press conference at the Foreign Services Academy.
The country has been under mounting tension since the fall of the Hasina-led government on August 5. Dr. Yunus has focused on bridging societal and political divides as his administration faces increasing pressure, especially following the arrest of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.
This incident has sparked violent backlash and deepened societal rifts.
On Tuesday, Dr. Yunus held a meeting with leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement at the state guest house Jamuna.
The hour-long meeting, which began at 6:00 PM, focused on urging students to stay calm and vigilant against what Dr. Yunus referred to as conspiracies orchestrated by the “fascist Awami League and its collaborators.”
Sources present at the meeting reported that the Chief Adviser stressed the importance of student participation in safeguarding democracy while urging them to avoid retaliatory actions that could worsen the already volatile situation.
The arrest of the ISKCON leader has not only sparked diplomatic tensions with India but also triggered local violence, including the killing of a Muslim lawyer in Chattogram, allegedly by ISKCON followers.
This incident has further intensified communal divides, with growing calls for restraint.
In an effort to foster national unity, Dr. Yunus is scheduled to meet with major political parties tomorrow.
On Thursday, he will hold discussions with religious leaders to continue his appeal for collaboration. Both the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami have responded positively to his initiative.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has praised the move, urging dialogue to bridge divides. Similarly, Jamaat-e-Islami has reaffirmed its support for collaborative efforts to address the country’s challenges.
Earlier on Sunday, 50 prominent citizens issued a joint statement calling on the public and political leaders to resist falling into conspiracies aimed at destabilising the nation. They highlighted the importance of unity in tackling Bangladesh’s socio-political difficulties.
As the country navigates the complexities of a post-uprising transition, the Chief Adviser’s call for unity has been met with cautious optimism. However, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges, from managing internal dissent to easing diplomatic strains.
Dr. Yunus’s efforts to encourage collaboration among diverse societal groups reflect a strategic approach to maintaining stability during these turbulent times.
