Bangladesh’s new adviser on social welfare has told NDTV in an exclusive interview that “fundamental, philosophical” reforms are being undertaken to put the country back on the path of development after years of being mired in corruption under the now-ousted Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Sharmin Murshid, one of the top advisers assisting caretaker government head Muhammad Yunus, shared her views on a number of key issues her country must deal with to fully leave its painful past behind.
“The priority is to restore law and order, create the conditions to hold fair, democratic elections, create the conditions for good governance and normalcy,” Ms Murshid told NDTV.
He said one sign of a return to normality in Bangladesh is the increase in remittance collections this month, which indicates confidence among people in Bangladesh’s ability to recover from political and economic turmoil.
“There is a reform agenda. Last year, our understanding of our economy was based on misinformation. The GDP rates were not true; we knew there was inflation, but never knew the rates. We saw a drawdown in foreign exchange reserves… that is what we were going through. Very soon – it is not the time to make any big announcements – I can assure you that fundamental, fundamental changes are going to happen,” Ms. Murshid said.
She said, “This month, we have received the highest fundraising in the last three years. And I see this as a sign of the confidence that people are showing in this government, and it is also an indication that we are returning to stability.”
He described Nobel laureate Mr Yunus’ track record and his acceptance in the international community as a strong point for Bangladesh.
“I would say the credibility of our chief advisor is also a major factor. The international acceptance among governments and institutions and our people, who are now engaged and motivated to rebuild the country and the economy, I think we are on the right track. Of course, nobody said it would be easy. I think we are back on solid ground,” Ms Murshid told NDTV.
Regarding attacks on minorities
Ms. Murshid acknowledged that there have been attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, but denied that minorities are being targeted en masse on religious grounds. Instead, she said that the violence in Bangladesh is not communal but linked to political affiliations.
On August 11, millions of Hindus took to the streets of Bangladesh to protest against attacks on the community after Ms Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India.
“The insecurity of vulnerable groups – call them minorities if you like – this government is making fundamental, philosophical changes. For example, we don’t want to call anyone a minority. As Professor Yunus said, we are one family. The violence that has happened in specific categories is because of political turmoil. It was never because of communalism. That is where the Indian media needs to come to Bangladesh,” Ms Murshid told NDTV.
The social welfare consultant said, “There are certain communities that are associated with certain political parties. A large part of the so-called minorities were actually loyal to the political party that the regime that has just been removed from power. Mind you, in this transition and change, the violence that the Awami League has perpetrated on its own people has led to some backlash against the Awami League as a party and its workers who have systematically killed people. You should look at it in that frame of reference and not in the frame of minorities like Hindus.”
“We are not a communal nation”
He said, “Even yesterday our youth, people from mosques have been protecting temples and communities. This does not mean that there have not been some lapses. I will not say that. There have been some lapses. But you should understand that we are not a communal nation. It is politics that uses communalism to create communalism. We will correct this, we will not let this happen.”
“I would like to request the Indian viewers to please be sensitive about this. Remember, this region of South Asia has a long history of communal conflicts. Whatever happens in India affects us. If there is violence against Christians, Muslims, Manipuris in your country, it directly affects the security of my country. I think when you ask me about future policies, I think they should be more compassionate, more understanding and more sensitive. We need to work together in this direction,” Ms Murshid told NDTV.
Ms Hasina, 76, resigned as Bangladesh’s prime minister earlier this month following weeks of deadly protests that began as student demonstrations against reservations in government jobs but later spiraled into a movement demanding her resignation.
She won power for a fourth consecutive term in January in elections that were boycotted by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which accused her Awami League party of trying to legitimise rigged polls.
Bangladesh’s economy, once one of the world’s fastest-growing economies thanks to the country’s booming garment sector, has stagnated. Inflation is around 10 percent and dollar reserves are dwindling.
After Ms. Hasina left the country, the anti-discrimination student movement proposed Mr. Yunus’s name to lead the country.
