Since its independence, Bangladesh has lacked genuine leadership—except during the tenure of Shahid Zia. He laid the foundation for a modern Bangladesh through hard work, honesty, and dedication. Since then, no leader has shown such commitment—until Professor Yunus emerged. Meanwhile, politicians continue their endless bickering for power, with little regard for genuine reform.
One leading BNP politician, Mirza Abbas, recently dismissed Gen Z liberators as mere “kids” who should follow their elders. But he must reflect on his party’s record over the last 15 years. They have failed to free their leaders languishing in jails and bring back their acting Chairman exiled in London. They were unable to organize meaningful demonstrations and failed to show strong leadership on the ground.
The public is politically astute. They recognize genuine leadership when they see it. Many believe that, apart from Tarique Zia and Khaleda Zia, the current BNP leadership is more interested in establishing personal power bases than in genuine reform. Lower-level operatives are already engaging in corruption rather than volunteering for a more significant cause. Instead of serving the people, they seek to enrich themselves.
Professor Yunus may appear mild-mannered, but at his core, he is strong and principled. He has no personal ambitions for power—his dedication is to the people. He listens carefully, surrounds himself with competent individuals, and above all, remains free from corruption. While career politicians scramble for elections to seize control, Yunus and his movement focus on systemic reform—a system rotten to its core.
Bangladesh’s bureaucracy, long loyal to Sheikh Hasina, continues to hinder real change. Civil servants, police forces, and judicial institutions remain deeply politicized. Purging corruption from these institutions is akin to fighting cancer—it requires patience, unwavering dedication, and a relentless commitment. Yet, signs of progress are emerging: corrupt police officers are being prosecuted, secret detention centers have been dismantled, and a semblance of judicial normalcy is returning.
A nation afflicted by corruption requires visionary leadership. The students of Gen Z have placed their faith in Yunus, and their steadfastness has paved the way for reform. The world recognizes Yunus as a leader of integrity, but within Bangladesh, corrupt politicians attempt to tarnish his reputation. Meanwhile, neighboring powers interfere, sheltering Bangladesh’s most corrupt figures while spreading misinformation to undermine Yunus and the nation’s progress. So far, they have failed.
In this complex political landscape, some BNP leaders are covertly seeking reconciliation with Awami League leadership while maintaining close ties with external actors. Gen Z leaders understand these betrayals and are working tirelessly to prevent such backroom dealings. True peace and sovereignty for Bangladesh can only be achieved when its neighbors respect its autonomy and treat it as an equal partner, not a puppet state.
For years, foreign intelligence agencies have sought to reduce Bangladesh to a submissive nation, easily manipulated for their interests. But the Bangladeshi people will never allow that. The hope lies with Gen Z—those who demand change. Leaders like Mirza Abbas, who stand in the way of progress, must be pushed into irrelevance.
Professor Yunus has revolutionized economic development through microfinance, earning international acclaim. His inclusion in The Muslim 500 is a testament to his influence in poverty alleviation and social innovation. His philosophy is simple but profound:
“Money begets money. If you don’t have that, you wait around to be hired by somebody at the mercy of others. If you have that money in your hand, you desperately try to make the best use of it and move ahead. And that’s generating income for yourself.”
Yunus’s leadership marks the dawn of a new era for Bangladesh. In just six months, his administration has dismantled Sheikh Hasina’s machinery of repression, prosecuted corrupt officials, and restored fundamental human rights. He has pledged to hold Bangladesh’s first free and fair elections between December 2025 and March 2026, after which he will step aside.
Yunus frames Bangladesh’s woes as the direct result of Hasina’s rule:
“Hasina’s regime wasn’t a government—it was a family of bandits. Any order from the boss and it was done. Someone’s causing problems? We’ll make them disappear. Want to hold an election? We will make sure you win all the seats. You want money? Here’s a million-dollar loan from the bank you never have to pay back.”
Under Hasina’s rule, systemic corruption left Bangladesh’s banking system in ruins. Even her niece, UK Labor MP Tulip Siddiq, was implicated in financial scandals, ultimately resigning from her role at the Treasury under public scrutiny. She denies all wrongdoing, but the damage to Bangladesh’s economy is undeniable.
Yunus is a fatherly figure, dedicated to the people rather than power or wealth. If Bangladesh is to break free from its corrupt political past, future leaders must embrace its ideals of service, integrity, and reform. The nation’s political psyche has decayed over decades—true transformation will take time. Mistakes will be made, but rather than condemn Gen Z, we must support and learn from them.
Mirza Abbas once said, “They are kids, they should follow us.” But the truth is, it is the old political class that must learn from them. The established political parties are led by aging figures who carry the baggage of corruption and self-interest. Some would sell the nation’s sovereignty in an instant if it served their ambitions. Their so-called experience is nothing more than a history of misrule. Can we trust them to lead us into the future?
They see elections as mere spectacles—festivals where voters play their roles before being sidelined once more. But elections are not celebrations. They are the mechanisms through which people choose their leaders, ensuring governance reflects their will. The Bangladeshi people are not naive; they understand that once the political carnival ends, their struggles will remain the same—or worsen. That is why they seek to extract as many benefits as possible while politicians promise them everything.
If we fail to allow Yunus’s government to enact meaningful reforms, we may never get another chance. A mere election will not solve Bangladesh’s deep-seated problems. We must move beyond the illusion of democratic spectacle and embrace genuine systemic change—reforms that prevent future dictators from rising, reforms that empower the people, not just politicians. The BNP’s reform proposals were a step forward but still lacked the depth needed for true transformation. Politicians continue to view elections as a means to gain power rather than a responsibility to serve the people. This mindset must change—unless Gen Z takes the lead.
Professor Yunus is our Confucius, our Nelson Mandela, our Martin Luther King, and our Gandhi—all in one. We do not need to bestow upon him the defiled title of “Father of the Nation.” Instead, we must give him the respect he deserves. Gen Z has placed their faith in him, and we should do the same. Let us allow him to lead. He has the power to redeem Bangladesh—if we give him the chance.