Amid the rumours of a coup in Bangladesh amid recent political developments and military deployment, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation and urged people to not fall for such rumours. Yunus said his administration is witnessing a "festivity of rumours". In an apparent attack to Sheikh Hasina, Yunus said these rumours are being spread by "the defeated force".
"The rumours are big instruments of the defeated forces against the July-August (2024) Uprising," he said in a nationwide televised address.
'We are in a war situation'
Yunus called upon the countrymen to resist the rumour through awareness and greater unity. He said that as the upcoming election, the date of which is yet to be decided, would come near, the rumours would take more dangerous shape. "You all know, who are behind the phenomenon and why they are spearheading these (rumours)," he said.
He further asked people to always look for the sources if they hear any misleading claim or come across it on social media. "Our overall unity is severely irritating them. They want to break the unity. You will not even realise their innovative techniques. You do not even understand when you became a pawn of their game,” he said. Yunus added: “Always keep in mind we are in a war situation.
US assured of cooperation
Addressing the nation, Yunus also informed that his administration sought United Nations cooperation to prevent the spread of rumours and disinformation and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who recently visited Bangladesh, "assured us of extending the cooperation".
Deposed premier Hasina’s regime was ousted in a student-led mass protest spearheaded by now-defunct Students against Discrimination on August 5, 2024. Yunus, who was in France at that time, flew home and assumed the role of the Chief Adviser of the interim government three days later.
Yunus to begin China visit on Wednesday
Meanwhile, Muhammad Yunus will start his four-day visit to China on Wednesday during which he is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping to reorient bilateral ties after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government.