New York:BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has strongly criticized the treatment of Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Yunus, a former chief adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, faced harassment by individuals allegedly linked to the banned Awami League.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizvi stated that the incident occurred around 345 pm local time and involved individuals associated with ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He claimed that the harassment was an act of revenge against Yunus for his role in leading the interim government following the mass uprising in July-August 2024.
Rizvi emphasized that the incident not only disrespected Yunus, a globally recognized Nobel laureate, but also humiliated Bangladesh on an international stage. He attributed the behavior to the political culture fostered during the Awami League's tenure, which he claimed involved enforced disappearances, killings, and secret assassinations.
He further accused Awami League supporters of continuing violent and anti-state activities both domestically and internationally, despite the party losing power. Rizvi expressed concerns that this incident underscored ongoing public fears about the persistence of the party's culture of intimidation and revenge.
He also accused Sheikh Hasina of encouraging her supporters to engage in terrorist activities in Bangladesh, both domestically and abroad.