Muhammad Yunus cancels key National holidays, erasing Mujib’s legacy amid Bangladesh’s crisis

Bangladesh's interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has sparked intense controversy by cancelling several national holidays that commemorate key moments in the nation’s liberation history.

Among those eliminated are holidays related to the Liberation War, including March 7—marking Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic speech rallying the nation for independence—along with Bangabandhu’s birthday on March 17, and August 15, National Mourning Day, which commemorates the assassination of Mujib and his family.

These moves have sparked outrage, particularly from political groups that view them as attempts to erase Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s legacy. The Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has condemned the interim government’s actions, accusing it of seeking to diminish Mujib’s historical significance and rewrite the narrative surrounding the 1971 War of Liberation. The reactions within the country have been both fierce and varied, with some instances of vandalism targeting Mujib’s statues and memorabilia.

The interim government defends its actions, claiming that these holidays were imposed by the previous regime and are no longer relevant. However, this justification has done little to quell the widespread backlash, with many accusing Yunus of attempting to push a different ideological agenda, one that seeks to undermine the historical legacy of Bangladesh’s independence.

This controversy comes at a time when Yunus is also deepening Bangladesh's foreign relations with Pakistan. He recently met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the revival of SAARC, a regional cooperation platform. Yunus’s growing engagement with Pakistan, alongside his efforts to bolster ties between the two countries, has only added to the perception that his administration is steering Bangladesh toward an ideological shift.

Since assuming office as Chief Adviser on August 8, 2024, Yunus has overseen a dramatic pivot in the country’s foreign policy, particularly toward a more hawkish stance against India—formerly a close ally of Hasina. Tensions between Bangladesh and India have escalated, fueled by concerns over the treatment of India’s Hindu minority in Bangladesh. Protests and violence have claimed over 600 lives, with attacks on the Hindu community continuing to escalate, including vandalism of temples and physical assaults. Despite official assurances, over 2,000 incidents of violence against Hindus have been reported under Yunus’s rule, raising questions about the government’s ability to protect its minority communities.

Furthermore, Yunus’s interim government has taken a series of vindictive steps against the Awami League (AL), including filing arrest warrants for Sheikh Hasina and 45 other top AL leaders. These warrants were issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a controversial move that many see as a targeted effort to weaken the Awami League’s influence. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumdar, has demanded that the authorities arrest Hasina and the others by November 18. This has only heightened political tensions, with accusations that Yunus is using legal proceedings to undermine the opposition.

This unprecedented legal action, spearheaded by Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam (appointed by Yunus on August 7, 2024), has cast doubts on the independence of the judiciary. Critics argue that Yunus is manipulating the legal process to create a false narrative of reform, while in reality, he is simply stoking political tensions and distracting from his government’s failures to address pressing economic challenges.

The political upheaval following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster has had a devastating impact on Bangladesh’s economy. Yunus’s government has been slow to respond to the mounting challenges, including high inflation, dwindling foreign exchange reserves, rising debt, and poor tax collection. The World Bank has downgraded its growth forecast for Bangladesh to 4% for fiscal year 2025, down from 5.7% previously. Domestic and foreign investors alike have been deterred by the ongoing instability, further straining the economy.

Despite Yunus’s position as a renowned economist, there is little evidence of any concrete efforts to stabilize the country’s finances. Instead, his administration seems preoccupied with dismantling the legacy of the Awami League—particularly the financial systems that helped elevate Bangladesh as a major emerging economy over the last decade.

The country’s key economic pillar, the garment industry, has been hit hard by the political instability. Accounting for over 80% of Bangladesh’s total export earnings and around 11% of its GDP, the sector has experienced significant disruptions. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) estimates a financial shortfall of Tk 6,400 crore (approximately Rs 4,500 crore) due to factory shutdowns and disruptions in the supply chain. Industry leaders warn that the future stability of the sector is at risk, casting further doubts on the overall economic outlook.

One of the most controversial steps taken by Yunus’s interim government has been its attempt to erase the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the history of Bangladesh’s independence. Yunus has reportedly initiated a campaign to remove Mujib’s images from government buildings and public spaces, seeking to reshape the national narrative and shift focus away from Mujib’s role in the country's founding. This attempt to diminish Mujib’s influence is being perceived by many as a calculated political maneuver with deep historical and political ramifications.

The actions of Yunus’s government have sparked anger, especially among those who view Mujib as the father of the nation. By canceling holidays connected to the Liberation War and erasing symbols of Mujib’s legacy, Yunus appears to be positioning himself as a figure who is seeking to reshape Bangladesh’s identity. These moves, however, have been seen by many as a dangerous and malicious effort to rewrite history.

Yunus’s focus on dismantling the financial and political structures built by the Awami League comes at a time when Bangladesh is facing a major economic crisis. The country’s population is grappling with poverty, with nearly 18.7% living below the national poverty line and 5.6% in extreme poverty. Yet Yunus has failed to put forward a meaningful reform agenda to address these issues, opting instead for power consolidation and political infighting.

His government’s recent moves—such as easing restrictions on Islamist groups and promoting ties with extremist elements—have raised concerns about the future of Bangladesh’s secular and progressive values. By removing the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and facilitating meetings with Hefazat-e-Islam, Yunus appears to be courting Islamist parties to shore up his position. This shift has sparked protests from secular groups and the Bangladeshi diaspora, concerned about the potential erosion of the country’s secular traditions.

Under the cover of a reform agenda, Yunus’s interim government is consolidating power and reshaping Bangladesh’s political landscape, often at the expense of the country’s historical values and economic stability. While Yunus’s background as an economist might have led many to expect a focus on economic revival, his actions suggest a more politically motivated agenda. With rising tensions, an eroding economy, and a deteriorating social fabric, the future of Bangladesh looks increasingly uncertain as Yunus continues his campaign to rewrite the nation’s history and pursue a populist, divisive political strategy.