Chief Adviser of interim government, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, has said that the suspension of political activities of Awami League is temporary and may be withdrawn at any time.

In an exclusive interview with Mehdi Hasan, British-American journalist and founder of independent outlet Zeteo, Yunus discussed a wide range of national and international issues on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Topics ranged from Donald Trump’s pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize and Bangladesh’s economic situation to the Gaza conflict, Rohingya repatriation, and the future of youth-led politics.

On the Awami League’s suspension, Yunus strongly defended the government’s decision following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s flight from the country. Responding to concerns raised by Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen, who warned that banning the AL would mirror Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian errors, Yunus rejected the comparison. “We have not banned the party. It remains legal, but its activities have been suspended temporarily. The Election Commission assessed that the AL could potentially disrupt the upcoming election. Hence, this precaution. But the suspension is not permanent — it can be lifted at any time,” he clarified.

Yunus dismissed suggestions that the move silences “millions” of Awami League supporters, claiming many were never genuine loyalists but rather individuals compelled by power dynamics.

He stressed that all registered voters, including AL supporters, will retain the right to freely choose candidates in the next election.

The Chief Adviser also accused Awami League of showing no remorse for last year’s student-led uprising, during which the UN estimates about 1,400 people were killed. “Not a single word of regret or responsibility has come from them,” Yunus said, adding that this justified the suspension.

Addressing allegations of rising attacks on minorities, Yunus dismissed reports of systematic Hindu persecution as “exaggerated” and blamed India for spreading misinformation. “There are occasional disputes over land or neighborhoods, but there is no state-sponsored or organized Hindu-targeted violence,” he claimed.

On foreign policy, Yunus defended reinstating the long-standing passport clause excluding Israel, which had been removed in 2021 by the Hasina government. “The whole country opposed that decision. We have not recognized Israel and do not want to create such an opening,” he said.
Regarding Gaza, Yunus condemned the ongoing violence as “genocide.” He added: “You don’t need to be a Nobel laureate to say this. Children are dying, people are starving. It is shameful for humanity that we watch this on our screens and do nothing.”

Yunus avoided direct comment on the newly formed Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), led by 27-year-old Nahid Islam, who briefly served as an adviser in his interim government. Rejecting claims that Nahid is his protégé, Yunus said: “Yes, he was one of the student leaders who approached me. But I did not endorse him. Their party must define its own policies and strategies.”

When asked whether Donald Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, Yunus diplomatically replied: “That’s up to the Nobel Committee.” Hasan laughed, calling it a “very good diplomatic answer.”