Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser of the interim government, dreams of changing not just Bangladesh but the entire world—through the power of social business. At the opening of the “Social Business Day” in Savar, attended by over 1,400 delegates from 38 countries, Dr Yunus proclaimed that social business has the capacity to transform humanity.
Yet while he speaks of peace and progress, the Global Peace Index tells a different story. According to the Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), Bangladesh has slipped 33 notches, now ranking 123rd with a score of 2.318—its lowest standing since the index began. It is a glaring contradiction: a Nobel Peace Prize winner at the helm of a nation that’s rapidly losing its grip on peace.
Dr Yunus may take solace in the fact that the United States ranks even lower at 128. But for a figure synonymous with peace, this backsliding raises pressing questions. The past year has been marred by political turmoil, mob violence, and social unrest—culminating in Dr Yunus assuming power in the wake of the July–August upheaval against Sheikh Hasina’s regime.
His ascent promised a meticulously planned transition to peace and democracy. “Meticulous” is a word he cherishes, often praising well-structured, error-free planning. But the governance under his leadership has lacked precisely that—care, precision, and effectiveness. So far, no magic, no meticulousness.
Despite his public disinterest in power and repeated affirmations of a smooth electoral transition, doubts have emerged. Critics highlight personal gains: tax waivers, legal exemptions, fast-tracked approval of Grameen ventures, and efforts to dilute government oversight of institutions he founded. The blurring of national interest with personal convenience has fuelled discontent.
Grameen Bank’s state shareholding was reduced; Grameen University received approval despite earlier objections; tax dues were wiped out by executive order; and the law was amended to exempt Nobel Prize income from taxation. These actions raise questions: is his governance about public service or private relief?
On the international stage, Dr Yunus continues to travel, drawing acclaim. But domestically, such trips now provoke criticism. As Chief Adviser, state-sponsored visits carry a different weight than those undertaken as a private citizen. Many ask: where is the roadmap to elections? Why the delay in fulfilling the promises made after meeting BNP’s Tarique Rahman in London?
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s peace has eroded. Women feel increasingly unsafe; business leaders complain of harassment and stagnation. Political violence has surged. Despite calls for calm, mob rule persists. The people, once hopeful, now wonder if their sacrifices in the July Revolution were in vain.
Bangladeshis are quick to celebrate heroes, but just as quick to question them. Dr Yunus is no exception. The gap between public expectation and perceived self-interest is fuelling scepticism. His narrative of selflessness and social upliftment now struggles under the weight of governance realities.
The peace envoy must now confront the irony of his position: leading a country that is no longer peaceful. If he truly seeks to uphold the ideals that earned him global respect, he must restore faith at home—by enabling a credible, participatory election, ensuring safety and dignity for all, and proving through action that peace is more than a slogan.
— The writer is a journalist, columnist, and Deputy Head of News at BanglaVision.
