We have reached the 55th year of independence. The level of devaluation of independence during this time—I’m not aware of such a thing happening in any other country in the world. I used to hold Professor Yunus in very high regard. I thought of him as an institution.

But based on what we have seen over the 18 months of the interim government, Professor Yunus can be evaluated as nothing more than an NGO operator and a businessman dealing in interest. I realized this much later. Sheikh Hasina recognized it before I did.

The people with whom Professor Yunus formed the government—none of them are true lovers of Bangladesh. They have no spiritual connection with the country. Professor Yunus is not someone who stands in favor of the Liberation War. None of the members of the interim government had any respect for the Liberation War. They did nothing with respect or reverence.

Rather, the freedom fighters have been devalued. There was an effort among them to belittle the freedom fighters. However, the nation will have to pay the price for this. Without the Liberation War, there is no independence, and without independence, none of today’s progress would have been possible.

Now, around 15 million people are earning abroad. If Pakistan still existed, not even 150,000 Bengalis would have been able to go overseas. We have our struggles, but still, the birth of Bangladesh has not been in vain. Everything people talk about today has its roots in independence. The heart of Bangladesh is Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Genghis Khan once conquered Baghdad and destroyed Muslim civilization, yet today he is not called a hero but a villain. Professor Yunus has become tarnished in a way that cannot be erased for the destruction of Bangabandhu’s house. Bangabandhu’s house is a symbol of independence. Whether today or tomorrow, I believe that justice will begin during the tenure of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

In trying to diminish Bangabandhu, Dr. Yunus has elevated Sheikh Hasina. Deliberately insulting Bangabandhu means insulting all freedom fighters.

I was not invited to many national events either, but that does not matter. I did not fight for invitations. I fought to free people from suffering. After independence, Yunus was a respected figure. But as long as Bangladesh exists, he will be regarded as a hated figure.

Author: Founder President, Krishak Sramik Janata League

Transcribed by: Kajol Arya, Tangail