Khwaja Masum Bellah Kausarey: Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the world-renowned economist and Nobel Peace Prize-winning founder of Grameen Bank, is a pride of Bangladesh. By introducing the concept of microcredit, he opened a path to economic emancipation not just for the poor of Bangladesh, but for impoverished populations across the globe. Yet, in recent years, the disrespectful and controversial treatment he has faced raises a crucial question: is Dr. Yunus receiving the state honor he truly deserves for his contributions? Or are there forces consistently trying to isolate him socially and politically?

In 1976, through Grameen Bank, Dr. Yunus began providing microloans to the poor. This was not merely financial aid but a revolutionary model of socioeconomic empowerment. His model became a global benchmark. In 2006, both he and Grameen Bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize—a prestigious recognition for Bangladesh.

Hostility from the government towards Dr. Yunus reportedly began in 2007, when he launched a political initiative named “Nagorik Shokti” (Citizen Power). During the military-backed caretaker government, this move was perceived as a threat by the political leadership of the time. Although he later decided against joining politics, this initiative made him “uncomfortable” in the eyes of the ruling elites.

Analysts believe that subsequent government efforts to take control over the otherwise autonomous Grameen Bank were part of a broader strategy to sideline him. In 2011, using the pretext that he had crossed the retirement age, he was removed from his position as Managing Director of the bank. Although the Supreme Court upheld this decision, many viewed it as a politically motivated move.

Later, the government intervened in the board of directors of the bank, launched investigations into organizations associated with Dr. Yunus, and filed numerous lawsuits against him. These actions appear to be calculated attempts to subject him to administrative and social pressure.

In recent years, allegations have been made against Yunus Foundation, Grameen Communications, and other affiliated institutions involving labor law violations, tax evasion, and financial misconduct. Dr. Yunus has denied all allegations and described them as harassment. Nonetheless, repeated summons, arrest warrants, and fines indicate a clear attempt to destabilize him personally through legal harassment.

The treatment of Dr. Yunus by the Bangladeshi state has sparked widespread international criticism. In 2023–24, over 170 Nobel laureates from more than 40 countries, along with former UN Secretary-Generals, European leaders, and U.S. Congress members, sent letters to the Bangladeshi government calling for justice and fair treatment for Dr. Yunus. They stated, “Subjecting a man who has changed the lives of millions to judicial harassment is not only tragic—it is against democratic values.”

Recently, Dr. Yunus resigned from his position as Chief Advisor. This news had been circulating across social media and news outlets for the past two days. His resignation was not spontaneous; rather, it was a strategic response to intense political pressure, administrative non-cooperation, and social hostility. He understands that while state power is temporary, moral stature and humanitarian contributions are everlasting. His decision may further deepen the ongoing political crisis, public distrust, and alienation from the international community.

Dr. Yunus never sought state power, yet his global stature has inadvertently made him a sort of “alternative statesman.” Perhaps this is the root of discomfort among certain domestic politicians. The current political culture is increasingly intolerant of dissent and alternative leadership—a fact that has become starkly evident. His independent stance, political neutrality, and international reputation have turned him into a perceived threat for a particular group.

The past relationship between the state and Dr. Yunus is not just a tale of political vengeance—it also reflects a self-destructive national psyche. We fail to create heroes of our own, and when someone does rise to that stature, we fail to honor them. Yet history always remembers the truth and forgets falsehoods. Jealousy and pettiness degrade our collective mindset, replacing respect and humility with vengeance and hostility—something we have clearly witnessed in the case of Nobel Laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Dr. Yunus’s resignation is a symbol of moral resistance. It is also a grave national signal—where not even a Nobel laureate is offered a safe space. The state’s treatment of him is a tragic testament to our political and social ethos. But one thing is clear: this enmity has not broken him. Rather, he remains unique in his moral strength and generosity—as a national pride, and as a beacon of light in history.

Author: Khwaja Masum Bellah Kausarey, the Executive Director of SEDRO (A nongovernmental Research Organization), Senior Journalist, and Human Rights Activist in Bangladesh.