Dhaka, March 4 (IANS) Conceding that Grameen founder Muhammad Yunus ‘may not be a saint as his sympathisers would want us to believe’, Bangladesh’s media came down heavily on the government for the ‘manner in which’ he was removed from the bank by the government.
Media comments varied from the government’s ‘obsession with Yunus’ to ‘political vendetta’.
Two of the government’s allies, former president H.M. Ershad of the Jatiya Party and A.S.M. Abdur Rab of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, also issued statements condemning the government’s action.
The refrain of the critics has been that Yunus, who brought Bangladesh fame by winning a Nobel prize, deserved better treatment.
Foreign missions led by US Ambassador James F. Moriarty criticised the move. The US envoy said he was ‘deeply troubled’ by the government’s move.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has not reacted to reports that the US has conveyed in clear terms that no high level bilateral meeting might take place if Yunus’ ‘harassment’ is not stopped.
New Age said last week that Hasina is likely to visit Washington in April and US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, scheduled to visit South Asia, including New Delhi, may not make it to Dhaka.
Media reports said that after filing the petition challenging the action against him, Yunus said he was ‘not keen to hold on’ to the post but wanted a graceful exit.
New Age said in its editorial Friday: ‘Yunus may not be the saint his sympathisers would want the people to believe and has time again been accused of preaching what he himself does not practice.’
‘A pertinent example would be the resolution of his bank’s board of director, allegedly at his own behest, to retain him as the managing director all his life or until he himself chooses to step down tends to betray his autocratic attitude.
‘Ironically, Yunus has consistently criticised the two mainstream political parties – the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party – for similar autocratic attitudes and practices. Allegations also have it that Yunus is above and beyond any transparency or accountability within Grameen Bank.’
The Daily Star said in its editorial: ‘…we are constrained to say that the manner in which Yunus was removed smacked of a lack of decency and therefore was in bad taste’.
It asked: ‘Can a technicality be the main measure of judging a man of Yunus’ stature?’
