We have to build a new Bangladesh out of this disaster, Yunus tells The Week

The interim government is facing major challenges in rebuilding Bangladesh after the disaster left by the previous Awami League regime, as the country's economy was shut down, institutions were dysfunctional, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said in an interview with Indian news magazine The Week.

In the interview, the Chief Adviser discussed his government's reform initiatives to rebuild the nation, the upcoming election, the future of the Awami League, and Bangladesh's relations with Delhi.

Here is a shortened version of the interview.

The interim government has completed eight months. What have been the challenges, and what are the shortcomings?

When I took over the responsibility, I saw the country was shattered. The economy was shut down, the institutions were dysfunctional, everything was kind of mutilated and destroyed. So, the first challenge is to see how we can create something out of this disaster. The banking system doesn't work because all the money has been siphoned off…You have to build an economy that will function, and we have to build it piece by piece, whether it is the whole of economic structures, institutions or policies.

Is there a timeline to this [reform] process? When can the elections be held?

December is the beginning line. If you want to finish it before that, then it depends on how many of them (political parties) agree to it. The election can happen from December onwards anytime, but it should not cross June. We are waiting for the consensus list, and then we'll invite all the political parties to sign it.

Do you think your comments about India's northeast states (he said Bangladesh was the only guardian of the ocean in the region) were taken out of context?

Absolutely, this is what I'm saying, I am talking about integrating. But they said, "Oh, he's talking about taking over." My God, I'm not a general to take over anything. I'm the guy who's bringing people together. My whole journey started with this position. SAARC is not about fighting with each other. Why are we fighting? The first thing I raised is the need to work together. We should hold meetings frequently so that we can understand each other more and overcome the problems. Shying away from each other does not solve problems.

How do you see Bangladesh's relationship changing vis-à-vis China or Pakistan? After years, many delegation visits are taking place.

Well, there are economic reasons for it. We have a lot of business with China because we buy so many things from it, and that's one important reason we want to build this relationship to benefit us economically. China is not the only country we are building bridges with. I was talking about SAARC, but I am also looking at ASEAN, and I have told everyone that I want to be in ASEAN.

Do you see a rise in fundamentalism or vigilantism on the streets of Bangladesh?

I'm glad you're here. You're not talking to me from South India or from Delhi or somewhere else. You can check it out yourself because most of the propaganda and fake news kind of destroyed all the relationships we can ever build with each other. If there is a case, go examine why that has happened… Ask about how many pujas have taken place since the interim government took over? Did they perform their puja freely or [not]?

So you are not attributing it to communalism, but crime in general. Or is it political violence?

There's some political violence, which is instigated violence, because people who have been ousted from this country are trying to come back. So they have their own policies, particularly when India keeps Sheikh Hasina on its [soil] and she's allowed to make speeches and every speech made by her is very inciting.

People don't like to listen to her. It makes them very angry. She is encouraging people to rise [in Bangladesh], to take over everything once again. These kinds of speeches are destabilising the country. I have mentioned it to Modi ji and other (Indian government) officials as well.

How do you see the role of the Awami League going forward? Will there be a ban on it from contesting elections?

It has been about eight months (since the interim government took charge). Nobody has stopped the Awami League from running their party, and nobody is saying we are going to stop them. This is all speculation. Whether the Awami League will exist or not is a decision the Awami League will take. They have not said they won't exist anymor,e but they have also not declared themselves as a (political) party that wants to participate in the elections. So, they have to take the first step.

We saw a cross-section of people participating in the July uprising, including the Jamaat-e-Islami. How do you see the Jamaat playing a role in the next elections?

When we moved from Hasina's world to a new Bangladesh, we promised ourselves that we would be a democratic country with freedom of speech. So anybody who has anything to say can do that as long as they follow the rules, are not violent and do not disrupt the lives of people. So we cannot exclude the Jamaat when we are following this principle of allowing everyone to share their thoughts freely.

After elections are held, the students might want your continued guidance. What will be your role in the new Bangladesh?

The role of the interim government is to prepare the country for a credible election, which was not happening earlier. That's our ambition, our dream. We are an interim government and have no political ambitions. The day elections are held and winners are declared, we will say goodbye and go home. That's our job.