Yunus Centre protests PM's remarks on Prof Yunus

The Yunus Centre yesterday protested news reports that the prime minister has alluded to the Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus of involvement in propaganda against the government.

"We are sad and frustrated at the untrue allegations made by the honorable Prime Minister. Making such allegations by the PM without providing any evidence is very sad," it said in a statement.

The centre, which promotes the philosophies and works of Prof Yunus, said according to the news published on Wednesday and Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the Parliament on Wednesday, "It's no superpower but an evil power inside the country that was behind the cancellation of the GSP facility."

She was also quoted as saying, "Another person, who felt aggrieved on losing the post of the managing director of a bank in a legal battle, engaged in negative publicity against the government."

The centre said according to newspaper reports, the premier said these about the founder of the Grameen Bank.

The statement said the microcredit pioneer has dedicated his whole life to build various institutions for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh and can never do anything against the interest of the people of Bangladesh.

"He has always worked for the interest and success of Bangladesh. He has worked to establish the country in the world as a model of development and alleviation of poverty."

"The allegation he has been engaging in negative propaganda against the country is not only resorting to falsehood but also unfortunate," said the statement.

The centre said the prime minister's statement of this kind had important implications for the country and personally for Prof Yunus. 

"These create wrong impressions among people at home and abroad. We have answered such allegations in the past in detail."

"Our statements have been published in the media in detail. It is unfortunate that such false allegations are being made again without taking our statements into consideration."

The statement said the allegation that Prof Yunus had started tarnishing the image of the government after he lost the post of the MD of a Bank is not only baseless, but also ridiculous.

"For the same reason the allegation of his approaching Hillary Clinton for holding on to the post of MD of the Grameen Bank is equally ridiculous. We protest these accusations," the Yunus Centre said.

The statement also refuted the accusation that Prof Yunus had joined hands with BNP-Jamaat to tarnish the image of the country. "Prof Yunus never had any link with any political party and he does not have any such connection even today."