“Is this the example of Muhammad Yunus’s civilization?" — questions Anu Muhammad

Following the student–mass uprising and the drafting of the July Charter, questions have been raised by Professor Anu Muhammad regarding the statement made by Chief Adviser Professor Yunus, in which he claimed that ‘civilization’ was being brought to Bangladesh, after attacks on media outlets and cultural institutions.

Anu Muhammad said, “For months we have been witnessing brutality, especially what we saw on 18 and 19 December— is this the example of civilization of Muhammad Yunus? This is the question all of us must ask today.”

He made these remarks while presiding over a joint rally of various left-wing organizations, organized by the Democratic Rights Committee, at Shahbagh in Dhaka on Wednesday, protesting the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut, and Udichi Shilpigosthi, as well as all killings. Anu Muhammad is a member of the Democratic Rights Committee.

Earlier, in his speech at the July Charter signing ceremony on 17 October, Professor Yunus had said, “We were living in a barbaric world where there was no rule of law. People could do whatever they wished. Now we have come into civilization.”

Following that statement by Professor Yunus, Anu Muhammad, former professor of Jahangirnagar University, had immediately raised questions on behalf of the Teachers’ Network regarding the definition of ‘civilization.’ After the recent terrorist attacks, he has once again brought the issue to the forefront. He believes that these attacks are not aimless acts of unruly behavior, but rather planned terrorism driven by an ideological position.

Late Thursday night, a terrorist attack was first carried out on the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar in Dhaka. After vandalism and looting, the Prothom Alo building was set on fire. Subsequently, similar attacks were carried out on The Daily Star office in Karwan Bazar and the Chhayanaut building in Dhanmondi. The following day, the office of Udichi Shilpigosthi on Topkhana Road was set on fire.

Anu Muhammad said that the horrific attacks, assaults, and arson at various buildings and institutions are unbelievable incidents. Nurul Kabir, who has always been vocal against the injustices, corruption, and human rights violations of the autocratic Hasina regime over the past one and a half decades—including the exile of elections—was attacked and labeled as an ally of the Awami League. Observing the attacks on Chhayanaut, Udichi, Prothom Alo, and The Daily Star, it is clear that these were not sudden acts of unruly behavior by a handful of youths; rather, they were highly planned terrorist attacks.

Anu Muhammad further said, “What is even more unbelievable is that the number of attackers at each incident was not very large. But while they were carrying out destruction and pushing people toward death, the police and the army were standing in front of them passively. Why did the army, police, and intelligence agencies remain inactive? Why were they silent? For what reason, and in what way, did they play such a role that it appeared the state and the government descended into the role of patron or collaborator of those carrying out this destruction or planned attacks? What is the reason for this role?”

Anu Muhammad also raised questions about the government’s inaction, despite provocations prior to the attacks on Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut, and Udichi.

He said that over the past few months, hatred and incitement have been spread on Facebook, including calls to attack these institutions. The government’s intelligence agencies cannot be unaware of these activities. Intelligence agencies know that some instigators, both from within the country and abroad, are inciting people to carry out attacks and destruction.