Professor Muhammad Yunus was a revered determine to majority of individuals in Bangladesh till he gained the Nobel Peace Prize. Since successful this prestigious prize, Muhammad Yunus started displaying indicators of political ambitions and tried to drift a political celebration named Nagorik Shakti (Folks’s Energy).
At the moment, Bangladesh was dominated by a military-backed interim authorities which was persevering with offensives on politicians whereas lots of the key-players in that authorities, together with then Chief of Military Employees Normal Moeen U Ahmed was publicly talking in opposition to democracy and democratic establishments whereas he too was signaling of turning into one other army autocrat by step by step seizing energy.
Throughout these months, Professor Muhammad Yunus grew to become an amazing defender of that military-backed authorities, whereas he was additionally overtly encouraging members of the interim authorities, together with President Iazuddin Ahmed, a dedicated supporter of Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering (BNP) in intensifying actions in opposition to numerous people, together with politicians in Bangladesh. Foremost purpose behind such conduct of Muhammad Yunus was his eagerness and robust ambition of turning into head of the federal government within the nation.
International affect of Professor Muhammad Yunus
The general public on the planet who know Professor Muhammad Yunus are conscious of his international affect, significantly his large intimacy with former US President Invoice Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and loads of influential politicians and personalities in the USA.
Regardless of controversies and criticism, numerous international leaders and figures see Professor Muhammad Yunus as a famend economist and social entrepreneur from Bangladesh they usually additionally imagine he has made a major influence on the world by his modern concepts and initiatives. Of their eyes, being a founding father of the Grameen Financial institution, Professor Yunus has pioneered the idea of microcredit or small loans to poor folks with out collateral, and helped to elevate hundreds of thousands of individuals out of poverty.
Professor Muhammad Yunus, born in 1940 in Chittagong studied economics at Dhaka College and later acquired his PhD in economics from Vanderbilt College in the USA. From 1969 to 1972, he was an assistant professor of economics at Center Tennessee State College in Murfreesboro, TN.
In 1967, whereas Yunus attended Vanderbilt College, he met Vera Forostenko, a pupil of Russian literature at Vanderbilt College and daughter of Russian immigrants to Trenton, New Jersey, United States. They have been married in 1970. Yunus’s marriage with Vera ended inside months of the beginning of their child woman, Monica Yunus, in 1979.
In response to Nelson Mandela Basis, through the Liberation Struggle of Bangladesh in 1971, Prof Yunus based a Citizen’s Committee in Nashville, TN, revealed a publication named Bangladesh Publication, and ran the Bangladesh Data Heart in Washington DC with different Bangladeshis dwelling within the US, to lift assist for the liberation of East Pakistan and foyer on the US Congress to cease army assist to Pakistan. In 1972, he returned to Bangladesh and joined the college of Chittagong College, the place he taught economics and have become concerned in social growth initiatives.
Western buddies and allies of Muhammad Yunus imagine his concepts and initiatives have had a profound influence on the world, serving to to create new alternatives for hundreds of thousands of individuals and provoking a brand new technology of social entrepreneurs.
When requested if Muhammad Yunus will proceed to make use of his connections within the West, significantly in the USA in opposition to the ruling Awami League authorities in Bangladesh, a senior political analyst in Washington DC stated, “I can not speculate on people’ actions or intentions. Nonetheless, you will need to observe that Professor Muhammad Yunus is thought for his advocacy for social and financial growth, significantly in Bangladesh, and has been concerned in numerous initiatives to enhance the lives of individuals within the nation. He has additionally been a vocal critic of corruption and injustice within the authorities and different sectors.
“Nonetheless, it isn’t applicable to counsel or indicate that Professor Yunus would use his connections in the USA or elsewhere to behave in opposition to the democratically elected authorities of Bangladesh or its leaders. I imagine, as a Nobel laureate and revered international determine, Professor Yunus is dedicated to advancing optimistic change by peaceable and constructive means, and has all the time emphasised the significance of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding in addressing social and financial challenges”.
US Home decision in favor of Muhammad Yunus
Though Professor Muhammad Yunus has been sustaining large pleasantness with the Clinton Household, significantly Hillary Clinton for many years and is named a supporter of Democratic Social gathering, he additionally maintains good affinity with numerous lawmakers from the Republican Social gathering and he has his buddies and allies within the US Senate and the Congress.
On this case, one might surprise as to why through the previous a few years there had by no means been a decision launched within the US Congress both by the Democrats or a bi-partisan one by each the events. One of many many causes might be – it didn’t cross the thoughts of Professor Yunus, as to my understanding, if he wished a decision in his protection, it will be launched and handed.
However now, there may be whisper within the US Capitol about brisker initiatives by Professor Yunus in getting a decision handed in his protection, which can in the end remodel right into a legislation. Whereas Invoice is a plan of motion, decision is a press release expressing the opinion of the chamber.
It could be talked about right here {that a} decision is an official expression of the opinion or will of a legislative physique. The follow of submitting and voting on resolutions is a typical a part of enterprise in Congress, state legislatures, and pupil authorities associations.
Ignoring a bi-partisan decision handed by the US Congress might be thought of as contempt of the US Congress and disrespecting the official expression of the opinion or will of a legislative physique. On this case, members of the US Congress can take brisker measures of reworking a decision right into a invoice, which may later be authorised by the president and became a legislation. If the president chooses to veto a invoice, normally Congress can vote to override that veto and the invoice turns into a legislation.
Payments, if handed by the Home and Senate and signed by the President, turn into binding legislation and a part of the USA Code. Though resolutions usually are not legal guidelines; somewhat, they’re expressions of the “sentiments” of both the Home or Senate, it might definitely have additional implications when the decision is ignored by the celebration or events on whom it has been initiated and handed.
In 2009, Russian tax lawyer Sergei Magnitsky died in a Moscow jail after investigating a US$230 million fraud involving Russian tax officers. Magnitsky was accused of committing the fraud himself by Russian officers and detained. Whereas in jail, Magnitsky developed gallstones, pancreatitis and calculous cholecystitis and was not given medical remedy for months. After nearly a 12 months of imprisonment, he was overwhelmed to dying whereas in custody.
Magnitsky’s buddy Invoice Browder, a outstanding American-born businessman working extensively in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union, publicized the case and lobbied American officers to go laws sanctioning Russian people concerned in corruption.
In the same sample, Professor Muhammad Yunus shall additionally achieve getting a decision after which invoice in his favor, which may in the end turn into a globally relevant legislation on numerous people.
We have to keep in mind, Professor Mohammad Yunus isn’t any strange particular person. He has substantial contacts and connections with loads of policymakers and lawmakers in the USA, which he definitely can use – if he needs.
International opinion about free, honest and clear election in Bangladesh
On account of quite a few causes, together with frantic lobbyist bids of Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and related efforts of Professor Muhammad Yunus, the worldwide neighborhood is looking on the Bangladesh authorities to make sure a free, honest and clear normal election in 2024.
On this case, the USA being the highest purchaser of readymade garment merchandise from Bangladesh and being one of many high donors has been repeatedly specializing in free and honest elections within the nation, which is seen by a lot of the political opponents of the ruling Awami League as an efficient “strain software”.
Commenting on the challenges in holding a free, honest and clear election in Bangladesh in 2024, a geopolitical analyst in Washington DC stated:
The problem of holding a free, honest, and clear normal election in Bangladesh in 2024 is a fancy one, and there are a number of challenges that should be addressed in an effort to make sure the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral course of. A few of the key challenges embrace:
Making certain the independence and impartiality of the election fee: There have been considerations in regards to the independence and impartiality of the election fee in Bangladesh prior to now, with allegations of political interference and bias. Will probably be vital to make sure that the election fee is actually unbiased and free from political affect, and that it has the assets and capability to prepare a reputable and clear election.
Addressing political violence and intimidation: Political violence and intimidation have been a major downside in earlier elections in Bangladesh, with reviews of harassment, assaults, and even killings of opposition candidates and supporters. Will probably be vital to take efficient measures to stop such violence and make sure the security and safety of all candidates and voters.
Making certain a degree taking part in discipline for all candidates: There have been allegations of unequal remedy of opposition candidates and restrictions on their campaigning in earlier elections in Bangladesh. Will probably be vital to make sure that all candidates have equal entry to assets, media protection, and different technique of campaigning, and that there are not any arbitrary restrictions on their actions.
Addressing considerations about voter fraud and irregularities: There have been allegations of voter fraud and irregularities in earlier elections in Bangladesh, together with vote rigging, poll stuffing, and voter intimidation. Will probably be vital to take efficient measures to stop such practices and be certain that the voting course of is clear and credible.
Making certain the participation of all eligible voters: In earlier elections in Bangladesh, there have been considerations in regards to the exclusion of sure teams of voters, resembling minorities and ladies. Will probably be vital to make sure that all eligible voters are in a position to take part within the election and that there are not any arbitrary obstacles to their participation.
Addressing these challenges would require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, together with the federal government, the opposition, civil society organizations, and worldwide observers. It should additionally require a dedication to dialogue, cooperation, and respect for democratic norms and rules.
As very not too long ago Professor Muhammad Yunus succeeded in getting a letter in his favor which was signed by forty people, a lot of whom are globally identified, and because the Nobel laureate has spent 1000’s of {dollars} in publicizing this letter by The Washington Publish and different PR businesses, it is extremely a lot probably that he might now begin taking part in playing cards centering the 2024 normal elections in Bangladesh – once more along with his years-old ambition of turning into head of the federal government in Bangladesh.
It’s no secret that US President Joe Biden is below heavy affect of his guru – Barack Obama and below important affect of some extra people, together with Hillary Clinton. Contemplating these eventualities, one might ask – if Joe Biden shall lastly begin taking part in a task in actualizing the political ambitions of Professor Muhammad Yunus.