Readers Respond
The Daily Star received around 150 comments, as of 7:00pm yesterday, in response to its Thursday's report headlined “Yunus 'removed'”. The tone of the comments was condemnation of the government move. We are publishing some comments in the state we received them.
Sabana
Unfortunate! This is a vindictive decision. Dr. Yunus brings lot of prestige for Bangladeshis but now he is victimised. Bangladesh Bank proves its incapability and turned to become a rubber stamp organisation. NRB
Disgraceful. This and the recent castigation of ACC is just examples of how institutions in Bangladesh (whether Judiciary or ACC and others) are used not to serve the interest of the common citizen but of vested interest. Just goes to show that when a country is run on whims of individuals it can certainly bring a whole country to a brink. What good is a democracy (I use the term very lightly), if the parties exist to only serve themselves and not the peoples? A. Huq
Unbelievable! That's not the way a country should honour it's eminent and distinguished citizen. Prof. Yunus has made us all proud and his respect and admiration around the world is a testament to that. He is probably the greatest living ambassador that Bangladesh has and treating him this way was a foolish and selfish mistake. Maurice Peterson
The government has much more serious issues to solve which are not having much attention or being overlooked. May I urge the government to turn their attention towards productive issues that will benefit the nation and we citizens of Bangladesh. Tokai
What a shame! Bangladesh needs to get rid of all these corrupt politicians and start over again. Abdul M Ismail
Let's sit back and watch the government appoint one of their stooges who will go on to steal money from the poorest of the poor. Ananda Rahman
What a disgrace! I strongly condemn this act as an act of lowering the country in the eye of the world and pushing millions of poor beneficiaries of the Bank to a tunnel of darkness and uncertainty. RH
What a shame! When you look at the situation in its entirety, you see that there was no real ground for forced removal (sure there was an exception of a rule with approval from the board of Grameen but that in itself is not ground for dismissal). It's not everyday that someone brings Bangladesh the Nobel Peace Prize and Congressional Medal of Honour and rather than embracing it and using it to further our image abroad we castigate him. Government will turn Grameen into another failed government-run institution that's used to siphon money to successive administrations party men. The future for the Grameen borrowers and the poor is indeed grim as this institution will become just another failed government-run institution. What kind of signal does this send to the next generation? Don't be innovative and succeed because if you do and win accolades then you may just become target of some powerful interest groups' wrath. Apparition
Shame on Bangladesh for passivity for not rising up against self-serving politicians. Inam Khan
It is getting really sad. We as a nation should know better. Why are we doing this to ourselves? Hasan Nasir
Only in Bangladesh and only by arrogant politicians in Bangladesh this can happen. Shame on current government for using government institutions to fulfil someone's personal interest. Mong Sano Marma
Saddened by this news. Just wish the hero of Bangladesh enjoys good health and long life. M
EGYPT! EGYPT! We must rise against our DIRTY POLITICS and teach them a lesson once for and all. Mostafa,K
This government came to power with the slogan of 'Din -Badal (change)'. I'm not sure how much they have done or achieved in poverty alleviation or change in Bangladesh for better within the last two years. This removal of Dr. Yunus will not be able to diminish his influence as a micro credit pioneer. Wayne World
All the awards Prof Yunus got, that you mention at the end of the article, is exactly the problem. Our finance minister can't even control the stock market. Now he wants to control Grameen Bank? A disgrace to humanity both of them. M. Bazlur Rahman
The government should treat Dr Muhammad Yunus with dignity and respect and must not take any decision which might undermine the image of the Nobel Laureate and Grameen Bank in particular and the country in general. Badrul Haque
A very sad day for all persons of Bangladeshi origin and well-wishers of Bangladesh. It will be difficult for the Bangladesh Bank or anybody else to claim that this action against Prof Yunus is anything but political. Uzzall
This was very very bad. We have to know how to respect honourable people. Tariq Matin
This is utter lack of foresight by whoever decided to remove this great national treasure from the institution he founded. While most of the countries of the world have honoured Dr. Yunus, the Bangladesh government disgraced the nation by this senseless decision! Shame on us! This is totally unacceptable at a time when the ruling party could do so much for the country instead of tarnishing the image of the country. Learner
History will forever remember the contributions of the Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Yunus in building up the renowned Grameen Bank. History will also remember how Sheikh Hasina and her government did their best to destroy that great institution. Shame! Masudur Rahman
Shocked. Disgraceful. The future for an institution that gave hope to millions of under-privileged of the right to live has become uncertain. Amee NBR
This is a shame for our nation. If this government cared for this country and the next election, it should not only have respected the person who reversed our country's negative image to the world but also find a way to pair-up with such an idol for paving the way to becoming a developed nation. Mahfuz
Prof Yunus is an international hero and pride for Bangladesh. The recent acts of governments are really shameful. Anonymous
The government should not intervened on Grameen Bank's management. That is nothing but poor political games. Anwar Babar
I think he would've been safe. We are indeed a disgraced nation to have insulted Dr. Yunus this way. What a shame!! Zaber
A shocking news ever! This news damages our country's reputation across the world. Why we do these? Mahbubul Huq
If age is the real factor for removal from post of MD then why all previous governments, all political parties and civil society were silent over the last 10 years? Dr. Yunus was not supposed to get special privilege. It seems it is a political decision. Now anti-AL quarters will start playing blame game for this decision. Shameem Rumee Hasan
The AL should have allowed Prof Yunus to exit gracefully and allowed him to stay as Chairman Emeritus. The AL should have displayed the decency and decorum to ease out a person of Prof Yunus' status. He did not do any criminal activities, he did not make money, and was not involved any activities which are unlawful. It shows the pettiness of the current government where personal vendetta gets priority over of the honour, respect, and decency. It's a national shame. Shafiqul Islam
The arbitrary and unceremonious way the noble Laureate Dr. Yunus has been removed is unfortunate and uncalled for. The way Bangladesh Bank and the government are playing with the sensitive issue is sheer violation of law and procedures. The Grameen Bank is established by The Grameen Bank Ordinance, 1983. Section 14 of the Ordinance deals with the appointment of the managing director, qualifications to be the MD, vacancies of the office of MD, resignation etc. No provision of section 14 seems to be violated by the Noble Laureate to be removed. The statement of finance minister regarding the office of Mr. Yunus is quite abuse of his power because who will be MD or be removed from the post of an MD of a bank is not the business of the finance minister. Newaz
Please allow Dr Yunus to remain in peace. He is being bothered unnecessarily. In our history of 40 yrs we have only Nobel Prize winner. Can anyone guarantee that we are going to have another winner in next 40 years? He is our national pride and we must protect him even there are (if proved) procedural mistakes. M.M. Hussain from Los Angeles
What a shame!! It is as apparent that a group of people are trying everything possible to taint Dr. Yunus' name. Why don't we go after other dishonest businessmen in the country? Instead of nitpicking Dr Yunus, who had elevated Bangladesh's name to another level in the global community. Before the Nobel Prize win, the name of Bangladesh was associated with words like poor, famine and flood. Now the name is associated with one of the most prestigious prize in the globe, days of pitying are turning into respect. Dr Samiul Haque
Where is Bangladesh heading to? This is shameful and people of Bangladesh will not accept such decisions against Yunus. I hope he is not harassed in this way more. Already Bangladesh does not have good names abroad and this is not making it any good either. Iqbal Ahmed
It is very unfortunate to see that the government of Bangladesh has opted to take action against the Nobel Laureate Prof Yunus. I think this action will be viewed by millions of Bangladeshis as a revenge action. If government differs with Prof Yunus and his Grameen Bank policies (and some may be well debatable), they could discuss, debate and publish logical propaganda against him and his organisation. Instead, they opted to oust him based on a long overlooked rule. This will bring a very bad name against Bangladeshi politicians. We Bangladeshis do not know how respect our dignitaries. This is really a disgraceful government action. Shame on us! Dr. Muhammed A. Quddus
To vilify the person who elevated the country of Bangladesh to a level of dignity and honour is a disgrace to the nation as a whole. The conscientious people of Bangladesh should come out and mourn this day. Shame on us!!! Zakir
This is the struggle for every Bangladeshis against strong evil forces among us. There are so many bad people who just don't tolerate others to do good. Spreading hatred will only bring hatred which is not good for anyone. Mr Yunus, hope you find a better way to accept this. Mohammed Uddin
Banganbandhu was the founder of Bangladesh. Some of our countrymen 'removed' him. Younus founded Grameen Bank. Some of our countrymen 'removed' him. What signal do we give to the world by such mighty removals? It's a country too mean to show respect to achievers. M. Rashid
This is an act of vendetta. I am a well wisher of this government. but I cannot support such an act of disrespect to a Nobel Laureate. The PM has done an awful job by making disrespectful remarks. She could have criticised Dr. Yunus in a very respectful way if she had to. This act of the government will only bring disgrace for this government and its support from among many elite Bangladeshis will decline undoubtedly. The PM should take note that many people find her unwitting in criticising others. She shows to be careless in selecting her words while criticising. I would request her to be more careful and should speak with more care. Mizanul Khan
This move will bring not glory for Bangladesh. It's totally unacceptable. Anonymous, USA
Shame, Shame, shame on all those who were out to disgrace Professor Yunus for political vendetta. The bad smell of the whole orchestrated move cannot be hidden with the perfume of any smart political statements. Simply put, those who have made comments about Yunus and the benefit of Grameen lack sagacity, judgment capability and intellectual quality. It's a black day for Bangladesh and the people should wear dark badges on arms. Saleque Sufi
This is unfortunate, unacceptable. This is audacious. Prof Mohammad Yunus is national ICON. He made Bangladesh proud. Millions of poor Bangladeshis have benefited from his Grameen efforts. Entire world recognises his achievements. Grameen Bank is his own baby. It is out of sheer vengeance that some quarter is up against Yunus. We strongly disagree and condemn this action. Let justice be done. Hasan
We are all astonished. Very, very disappointed with the government, particularly the PM. The Bangladesh Bank governor should have resigned before sending the letter. This is a country where people don't have guts. The PM is reaching a point where she is losing her support base, I am one of them. We need to put fresh blood in politics since she has proved once again that there is no possibility of positive change in our political culture. Like to see media bombards the issue until we have the Nobel Laureate back to his office. This is a disgrace for the whole nation. Commoner
By removing Dr Md Yunus, this known section of politicians has stunned the nation. They have disgraced our nation to the world. Did the politicians ever thought that the fate of millions of people's fate is involved with what happens to Grameen? The nation and the whole world are watching the ugliest face of our politics. In the long run thoughtless action will put Dr Yunus in a new place. Shajjad Hossain
As I read the original letter sent it shows it is a real legal issue under s.14(1) of Bangladesh Bank GB ordinance which is fair enough but Prof Younus must be given his legal right of presentation (human rights act). Everything should be dealt by court and shouldn't use any emotion or political vendetta from either side. Muhammad Zakir Hossain
This is a reality show of so called self declared mighty people. They probably want to say the world, “Look what we can do.” This proves that none is safe in Bangladesh. Brutal greedy political masters could do whatever they desire. How the pen holding by the Amlas are writing such nice novels for the Nobel Laureate of our motherland! Dr. Mahfuzul H Chowdhury
What a sad news, sad day for Bangladesh and Bangladeshis. It is a sad day for the poorest of the poor people of Bangladesh. Sheikh Monirul Islam Opee
How the PM, the finance minister and BB governor can entangle themselves into the conspiracy remains a greatest shame in the history of Bangladesh. It is disgraceful and those who disgrace others will be naturally punished as an act of God, I pray for that. I don't agree with the way Microcredit formula was championed, but this disagreement stays at serious academic level. But the way BB acted today is not obviously mysterious; it is highly vindictive in nature the way our political leadership is functioning. The nation must be able to see great danger ahead. Anupam Barua
If it is only a legal issue everybody should be loyal to the local laws and settled the matter immediately but if it is politically motivated it will be harmful and harassment to our nation. Taneem
Seriously?? What have you done lately to help the people of Bangladesh? Forget a mile, why don't you walk a step in his shoes before getting into conspiracy theory? Nafiza Nasarullah
A mother cannot be detached from mother, similarly Grameen Bank from Dr Yunus. Why politics is brought here to destroy image of Dr Yunus, what the government want to achieve? Shame! He is a very respectful international figure and had given new life of many hardcore poor people of the country and the globe. Mahmud
This is unprecedented. Yunus is the victim of bad politics. We have forgotten he is a Nobel Prize winner and the only internationally recognised figure from developing countries. He is the founder of Grameen Bank and he is also the creator of two theories which are recognised by the developing and developed nations. In criteria of creativity, Hasina, Muhith and Atiur Rahman is far behind him. But they insulted Prof Younus as much as they could. Of course thy will suffer in next election, particularly at the hands of the young educated people because they are well aware about the current situation. Imam Haque
Professor Yunus is not going to lose anything. People will salute him. Those who removed him are going to lose.
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