When nations are on the brink—scraped for decades by corruption, authoritarianism, and watered-down institutions—history has a tendency to turn to unlikely leaders to guide them in a fresh direction. At Bangladesh’s darkest hour, amidst a climate of massive protests, collapsing popular confidence, and acts of geopolitics adventurism, a lowly revolutionary came forward. Not with slogans, not partisanship, but moral clarity, world stature, and the unshakeable determination of a statesman guided by purpose. That man is Professor Muhammad Yunus—Nobel laureate, visionary economist, and Chief Adviser to a nation yearning for reconciliation.
The people’s revolution on August 5, 2024, was a clear break from the past. It was not a rejection of a party or an individual; it was a rejection of political cynicism, foreign intervention, and a culture of impunity. In a rare convergence, professionals, citizens, workers, students, and the diaspora—united to have faith in governance with integrity. They did not seek just a caretaker, but a transformational leader to bring back dignity to the republic. That figure was not found in the plush corridors of party politics, but in a man who has been admired for decades by the world if not by the state.
As Kofi Annan once reminded us, “Leadership is not about command and control. It is about inspiring others to rise to their full potential.” In Yunus, the Bangladeshi people have found not a commander but a conductor—of reform, reconciliation, and national renewal. This article seeks to explore the story of such leadership: how Dr. Yunus emerged, why he is so well-liked by the people, and what his leadership could spell for the destiny of Bangladesh and South Asia.
With Sheikh Hasina’s oppressive regime crumbling, a caretaker government had to step in hastily—one that could hold firm against both internal unrest and external pressure. Imagine if some other individual, not Dr. Yunus, had become Chief Adviser. Would they have survived international condemnation, Indian political gamesmanship, Western skepticism, or inherited economic collapse from the last government? As the saying goes, “Cometh the hour, cometh the man.” That man is Dr. Yunus.
Since coming in, Dr. Yunus hasn’t merely steadied the ship—he’s turned the tide with breathtaking rapidity and statesmanship. The early success of his administration is all the more remarkable for its sheer scope:
- A groundbreaking UN resolution on the Rohingya crisis voted in with 140 in agreement and none in disagreement—setting a record for international consensus behind Bangladesh’s human rights stance.
- Substantial increase in monthly food support for Rohingya refugees, from $7 to $12 per person, improving the food security of half a million displaced individuals.
- Bangladesh accession as the 75th state of the International Convention Against Enforced Disappearances, reaffirming its commitment to human rights and justice.
- Rescuing troubled banks with rescue financial intervention and banking regulatory overhaul, protecting thousands of jobs and depositors’ trust.
- Foreign reserve stabilization and expansion, which had been plummeting during the previous regime; remittances have since hit all-time highs in national history.
- Exports expanding at more than 15%, the highest value of goods ever exported from Bangladesh in any year on record.
- Price stabilization and inflation held in check: electricity and commodity prices remained flat throughout Ramadan—a rare occurrence in over a decade of economic mismanagement.
- Border deaths have dropped significantly, from 577 in the previous year to only 10 in the last seven months, an indicator of good foreign policy and robust national security policy.
- New foreign direct investments (FDIs) introduced via high-level bilateral visits to China, the UAE, and the EU, which are projected to bring over 100,000 new jobs to logistics, medical, and green technology sectors.
- Fast-tracked rapid-fire infrastructure development projects, including the proposal to reopen the Teesta Barrage and a $1 billion port modernization agreement, to transform Bangladesh into a regional logistics hub.
- Establishment of anti-corruption tribunals and web-based audit systems in ministries for ensuring accountability and regaining people’s trust in the government.
Judicial Reform and Legal Accountability: A Milestone in Restoring Justice
One of the most far-reaching reforms initiated by Dr. Yunus’s caretaker government is the revival of Bangladesh’s legal and judicial systems, long seen as undermined by political intervention. The judiciary had become more and more seen under the former regime as a tool of executive authority, frequently used to enable politically driven arrests, sackings, and extended detentions without trial.
In a dramatic break from this convention, Dr. Yunus led the launching of a sweeping judicial reform program emphasizing independence, transparency, and transitional justice. At the heart of the campaign was the creation of a National Accountability Tribunal tasked with investigating and prosecuting instances of gross abuse of power, extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, and systematic corruption of Sheikh Hasina’s government. For the first time ever, numerous prominent figures—previously seen as above the law—have been summoned for testimony or investigation.
This court, operating within the mandate of international legal norms and under supervision by independent monitors, has already been hailed as a model of post-authoritarian accountability by rights groups. Legal commentators and human rights professionals have hailed it as a “first step toward institutional detoxification”, holding out the promise of hope for victims and restoring trust in rule of law.
Moreover, judicial nominations and hearing of cases are now subject to electronic audit trails and randomly assigned benches to eliminate political manipulation. New speed courts have also been set up to accelerate pending cases of corruption and human rights.
As Dr. Yunus noted in a recent address: “Justice delayed is not only justice denied—it is democracy denied. If we are to rebuild trust, we must start by cleaning the slate with truth.”
This shift toward legal responsibility is not only a cornerstone of Dr. Yunus’s style of governance—it is one of his greatest success stories, paving the way toward a Bangladesh where the law serves the people, and not the powerful.
Dr. Yunus’s government has restored institution integrity. The collapsing banks have been salvaged. The energy sector, threatened to be exploited by Adani-affiliated transactions, is being restrung to uphold national interest. He has defied foreign powers—without aggression, but with pride. For the first time in decades, Bangladesh is no longer a client state but a sovereign voice in South Asia. As Mandela would say, “It always seems impossible until it is done.” Dr. Yunus is making the impossible a reality once again.
Rebuilding Bangladesh’s Diplomatic Standing: Strategic Success Across Continents
Raising Relations with the United Nations to a Historic Milestone
One of Dr. Yunus’s best diplomatic achievements is his realization of the renewed connectivity of Bangladesh with the United Nations. His proactive approach and international stature have brought the country to the rest of the world than ever before. One shining example of this new global order of diplomatic power was the official visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Bangladesh in early 2025—a historic and symbolic step attesting to Bangladesh’s improved global reputation.
This was the first UN Secretary-General visit to Dhaka in over a decade and was universally welcomed as a personal seal of approval of Dr. Yunus’s leadership. Secretary-General Guterres, during his visit, lauded the interim government for its commitment to transitional justice, democratic reform, and being humanitarian leaders in finding a solution to the Rohingya crisis. Joint press conferences emphasized Bangladesh’s achievement in human rights protections, SDGs, and peacebuilding in the region.
The visit also paved the way for:
- The establishment of a UN-Bangladesh Partnership Platform on Climate and Migration to address displacement and resilience in coastal areas.
- An agreement to increase Bangladesh’s role in UN peacekeeping dialogue, with new training centers being created in partnership with UNDP.
- Growing cooperation on digital governance and youth entrepreneurship, with a new UN-Yunus Youth Fellowship Program to be established to empower young social innovators.
- The journey wasn’t just symbolic—it was also strategic. It entrenched Bangladesh as a moral leader of the Global South and reaffirmed Dr. Yunus’s vision of principled internationalism. As UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric put it, “Dr. Yunus embodies the kind of leadership our fractured world so desperately requires—creative, inclusive, and guided by moral purpose.”
- With Dr. Yunus at the helm, Bangladesh has seen a foreign relations renaissance of its own. His focus on peaceful cooperation, economic inclusion, and mutual respect has opened up new diplomatic and strategic channels everywhere in the globe:
China: Dr. Yunus’s state visit to Beijing culminated in a historic $1.5 billion agreement to establish a world-class medical university in Bangladesh, the acquisition of four naval cargo vessels, and China’s commitment to finance the Teesta Barrage—a scheme left high and dry by the previous regime. China has also pledged a $1 trillion investment deal to create special economic zones (SEZs) on themes of renewable energy, agro-tech, and digital logistics.
Southeast Asia: Relations with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam have been revitalized through trade facilitation arrangements, halal certification partnerships, and development of Bangladeshi expatriates through training and development. ASEAN leaders, for the first time, have invited Bangladesh to observer-level discussions on regional economic integration.
United States: The Yunus government has regained Washington’s trust by reasserting democratic values and upholding human rights. USAID has reopened development grants, while the US Department of State praised the caretaker government for maintaining transparency in its administration. A scheduled US-Bangladesh Climate and Trade Forum is also set to talk about cross-investments in green production and climate resilience.
European Union: Brussels-Bangladesh relations have enormously improved, with EU granting access for Bangladesh to a €500 million governance reform, digital infrastructure, and vocational education fund. Progress on Bangladeshi human rights has been the justification for extended GSP+ preferences.
Dr. Yunus’s foreign policy is rooted in what he calls “dignified diplomacy”—a combination of strategic autonomy and international cooperation. One is not taking one’s apron and running into any specific power alliance blindly; one is placing Bangladesh at the forefront of multipolar global coalitions. As the great Kofi Annan once said, “More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together.”
These gains mean not merely a shift in rule but also a recovery of national self-confidence—both at home and abroad.
India’s Displeasure: Losing a Hegemonic Stronghold
While the global community has widely embraced the Yunus-led interim government for its principled diplomacy and commitment to democratic restoration, one regional power has shown marked discomfort: India. Under the Awami League’s long-standing rule, Bangladesh had, in many ways, become a pliable neighbor—subordinate to Delhi’s strategic, economic, and geopolitical interests.
Under Sheikh Hasina, numerous bilateral agreements were one-sidedly biased in favor of India: from suspicious transit and port entry privileges to unratified or still unresolved water sharing. Strategic concessions gave Indian corporates unfettered access to Bangladeshi marketplaces, highways, and energy reserves in return for no countervailing benefits. Indian conglomerates like Adani Power acquired asymmetrical deals which sparked public outcry over sky-high energy prices and sovereign bargains. India’s quiet surveillance across the Bangladeshi cyberborder and its unstated backing for political repression under Hasina were seen by others as infringements of Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Dr. Yunus’s arrival brought an end to this status quo. Within weeks of assuming office in the caretaker government, a number of controversial projects were halted or reviewed. These involved the renegotiation of Adani-linked power deals, investigation of transit routes that were not economically equitable, and suspension of planned rail and road projects that mainly benefited India’s strategic interests in the Northeast. Bangladesh started renegotiating these terms to place greater emphasis on national interest—sending a clear message that partnership would now be founded upon mutual respect, and not dependence.
Also of interest is Dr. Yunus’s new call for the revival of SAARC—South Asia’s moribund regional cooperation forum. His proposal for reviving SAARC as a vehicle for trade, security, and environmental cooperation among all South Asian nations has not been greeted warmly in Delhi. India, wary of SAARC’s universal model that gives equal status to small states, has sought long to favor bilateralism—where its economic and military power have more clout. Resurgent SAARC under the moral and diplomatic leadership of Bangladesh would counter Indian hegemony in South Asia.
In addition, Dr. Yunus’s global standing—based on the Nobel Peace Prize and years of advocacy for humane development—has made it difficult for India to discredit him without raising worldwide suspicions. His close ties with world leaders, development institutions, and UN agencies give him a measure of diplomatic cover rarely available in South Asian politics. For the first time in decades, India has a Bangladeshi counterpart that it cannot browbeat, contain, and co-opt at will.
India’s discomfort is also complemented by the mass popular support Dr. Yunus garners in Bangladesh. The same sections of society—young people, civil society, and the diaspora—who remained disillusioned hitherto with politics are now mobilized by a national revival sentiment. The days of unchecked Indian hegemony through political proxies look numbered.
As Mahatma Gandhi aptly put it, “You may never know what results come of your actions. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.” Dr. Yunus has chosen to act—at the expense of Bangladesh’s sovereignty, justice, and regional peace. And in doing so, he has redefined the role of Bangladesh—not that of a satellite, but that of an equal sovereign in South Asia.
Popular Support for Dr. Yunus: A Nation’s Hope Renewed
The phenomenal support of Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his caretaker regime is not a fleeting emotional wave—it rests on profound national sources in the desire for honesty, justice, and reform. Years of disenfranchisement, disillusion, and abuse by authoritarian rulers have passed, but now Bangladeshis across the political and socioeconomic divide have rallied behind a leader they see as morally unassailable and widely revered.
Numerous outstanding factors are propelling this popular support:
- Unmatched transparency and accountability: Dr. Yunus has directed the public disclosure of all government properties—an unprecedented step in the political history of Bangladesh.
- Restoration of civil liberties: Citizens are openly criticizing the government in public discussion and cyber spaces without fear of retribution for the first time in years.
- Suppression of corruption: Crackdowns on corrupt institutions, online auditing, and the dissolution of politically motivated tender syndicates have earned the trust of the people.
- Human rights priority: From adopting the International Convention Against Enforced Disappearances to reducing border killings, the government made measurable progress.
- Price stability and electricity: Dr. Yunus’s government successfully maintained inflation within control and ensured uninterrupted electricity supply during Ramadan—winning the gratitude of the masses.
- Foreign policy dignity: His ability to defy foreign pressure, especially from India, without compromising the interest of Bangladesh has struck a deep chord in nationalist sentiments.
- International respect and admiration: Being the first and sole Bangladeshi to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the first South Asian leader to be received so grandly by the UN and Western democracies today, Dr. Yunus is the face of a new Bangladesh.
- Youth and diaspora outreach: Gen Z and the Bangladeshi diaspora have been particularly vocal in advocating his vision, mobilizing through online activism and grassroot movements.
Rejection of Indian Hegemony: A Long-Repressed Sentiment
Rise along with the backing of Dr. Yunus is national anger against India’s hegemony, which the majority of Bangladeshis believe was at its peak during the reign of the Awami League. Indian intelligence and economic intrusion in Hasina’s era felt deeply intruding. Asymmetrical water sharing in rivers, killing at borders, surveillance missions, and power grabs with exploitative purchases by companies like Adani further angered resentment.
The belief that India is now attempting to reinstall the Awami League or construct a subservient alternative to pursue its strategic goals has only made public opposition more vigorous. The Bangladeshi public is sick of foreign powers—mainly India—attempting to dictate domestic politics.
Indian disinformation campaigns against the Yunus government have further alienated Bangladeshis from thinking that India does not require a sovereign and democratic neighbor, but a satellite regime.
Dr. Yunus’s stand—cancelling discriminatory schemes, promoting regional harmony through SAARC, and resisting pressure—has lent courage to the people. He is not viewed as anti-India but pro-Bangladesh. That distinction is extremely critical for a nation much groused about as lacking control in its bilateral relations.
To the people, Dr. Yunus is a leader, not just, but a protector of their dignity, a guardian of reform, and an icon of national self-respect. His government might be temporary, but its legacy would be revolutionary.
The Voice of the People: A Groundswell of Support for Dr. Yunus
In a grass roots survey conducted by the author among rural and urban constituencies, nearly 200 individuals were interviewed from a wide cross-section of backgrounds—students, workers, government officials, entrepreneurs, teachers, and retired professionals. The results were dramatic: 87–89% of the interviewees expressed unambiguous support for Dr. Yunus’s continuation in office and pledged their agreement that he stay in office until the complete set of democratic and institutional reforms is completed.
The reasons cited by the respondents for their trust in the interim government introduced by Yunus are:
- Restoration of civil liberties and freedom to dissent boldly
- Transparent governance and declaration of public property
- Improved public services and upkeep of public infrastructure
- No political revenge or vendetta
- Diplomatic dignity on the international front
- Transparent distance from India’s unequal dominance
- Combating corruption at all administrative levels
- Intensive engagement with the youth and the diaspora
- Police and military restraint and professionalism
- Expectation of free, unbiased elections under a neutral leadership
Others also voiced deep dissatisfaction with the previous Awami League rule by Sheikh Hasina, commonly described as having been authoritarian, nepotistic, and having too close an association with extra state interests, specifically India. Interviewees were firm against the moves to reinstall the Awami League or impose a proxy political force with the identical ideology.
Following are twelve example quotations gathered from the field:
- “For the first time, we feel that the government is working for the people—not for a foreign agenda or a family dynasty.” — Retired schoolteacher, Rajshahi
- “Yunus sir is honest, globally respected, and humble. That’s a rare thing in our politics.” — University student, Chattogram
- “We’ve endured enough under corrupt politics. Let him clean it all up before he leaves.” — Garment worker, Savar
- “He stands Modi and Delhi in their eyes. That’s what leaders do.” — Sylhet rickshaw puller
- “No violence, no arrest for exercising free speech—this is what freedom tastes like.” — Dhaka journalist
- “We don’t want elections manipulated by people who’ve rigged them for decades. First let reform happen.” a private university professor
- “When a Nobel Laureate leads your nation with humility and elegance, you stand by him.” — NGO worker, Khulna
- “Prices did not soar for the first time during Ramadan. That’s true leadership.” — Homemaker in Comilla
- “India should not select our leaders. We are not their colony.” — Small business owner in Comilla
- “Though I may not agree with everything that he does, I believe his intention. That suffices for now.” — Tech entrepreneur in Dhaka.
- “For the first time in decades, we see a national leader fully understands the interrelationship among education, innovation, and democratic change. Dr. Yunus is creating an environment where universities no longer have to be politicized but are encouraged to become producers of moral and courageous citizens.”
- Similarly, a University of Dhaka professor contributed:
“What makes Dr. Yunus stand out is not just his global acclaim, but also his modesty and openness to ideas. His leadership has revitalized intellectual discussion in our institutions and renewed our expectations that Bangladesh can become a model of academic freedom and civic responsibility for South Asia.”
Those endorsements from education leaders add their stamp of approval to the bigger national and intellectual renewal under the leadership of Dr. Yunus—anchored in principles, people, and the long-overdue promise of inclusive development.
This mass groundswell does not look like it is going away. Not at all. The stronger the pressure on the caretaker government from housing lobbies and foreign interests, the more solidly behind him stands the people. Citizens see in Dr. Yunus not only a reformer—but a restorer of dignity, purpose, and national pride.
Public asset declarations have been made obligatory for all government functionaries. Criticism of the government is not only endured these days but also respected—on public platforms and social media. Even defamatory personal attacks on Dr. Yunus have not resulted in arrests. Compare this with the suffocating repression under Hasina’s Digital Security Act.
Diaspora Bangladeshis, heretofore ignored, now appear as “remittance warriors.” Several unfairly held expatriates in the UAE have been freed due to his diplomacy. In just a few months, Bangladesh’s narrative has transformed—from despair to dignity, from exclusion to inclusion.
And yet, his critics are vocal. Why? Because his victory threatens to engulf a political class that lives on crisis. They do not regard him as simply an opponent, but as a threat to their very existence in politics. Their strategy is to disbelieve him, to unseat him of legitimacy, to drown his achievement in propaganda. And all their efforts are crumbling. The people are watching. And the people remember.
Dr. Yunus’s popularity is not on a populist platform, but on performance. He has delivered. At 84, with a sick wife to care for at home and the weight of the country on his shoulders, he is the busiest, most relentless, highest morally upright leader in the country.
A Leader Beyond Time: The Spirit of Relentless Service
A decade ago, when asked why he had not thought of retiring, Dr. Muhammad Yunus gave a response that has since become the signature of his lifetime’s work: “The word ‘retirement’ itself should be retired.” In seven words, he encapsulated not only his motto but the very essence of public service—that leadership is not ageless, but goal-driven.
Now 84 years young, Dr. Yunus is living proof that real leadership knows no bounds of time. He does not lead for personal glory or party politics; he leads because his country requires a guardian of conscience, a mender of shattered institutions, and a moral compass in an era of disillusion. He has made his later years a renaissance of civic responsibility—rebuilding not only policies, but principles.
As George Bernard Shaw so eloquently once said, “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” Dr. Yunus, hope and possibility still abiding in him, has not grown stronger.
The challenges ahead remain formidable. But Bangladesh stands at a crossroads today where it can exorcise the demons of authoritarianism and embrace a future of preeminence. Dr. Yunus is no symbol of hope but the very essence of what leadership is capable of and ought to be.
Let us mobilize around this moment, not for him, but for us—a future in which Bangladesh will be remembered not for its political atrocities, but for its moral victories.