In a scathing critique, former Indian Foreign Secretary Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty has questioned Muhammad Yunus's political aspirations, arguing that the Nobel laureate lacks the necessary experience to lead a national government.

Chakravarty, who served as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh from 2007 to 2010, shared his views in an article published in The Indian Express on March 10, 2025.

He highlighted Yunus’s unpreparedness to navigate the complexities of governance, particularly in a country like Bangladesh, which is currently grappling with widespread violence, economic decline, and political instability. 

His article also paints a grim picture of Bangladesh’s current state, with Yunus’s interim government struggling to address the country’s deep-rooted challenges. While Yunus’s intentions may be noble, his lack of political experience and inability to curb violence and economic decline have left many questioning his leadership. As Bangladesh navigates this turbulent period, the stakes are high not only for its citizens but also for its neighbours and the broader region.

Key Points from the Article: 

Economic and social turmoil: Bangladesh is facing a severe crisis, with hundreds of factories shuttered due to ongoing violence, investment drying up, credit volumes shrinking, and employment opportunities dwindling. The promised “new liberation” championed by Yunus’s interim government has failed to materialize, leaving citizens increasingly frustrated. 

Political chaos and radicalism:  The country’s political landscape is likened to the Greek mythological dilemma of being caught “between Scylla and Charybdis.” Lawlessness and violence have become rampant, with mobs flouting the law and banned Islamist groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT) openly demonstrating in the streets. Notably, a student leader and adviser to Yunus is reportedly a member of HuT and has made inflammatory statements, including calls to annex parts of India’s West Bengal and northeastern states. 

Emergence of new political parties:   Student leaders have formed a new political party, the Jatiyo Nagorik Party (National Citizens Party or NCP), with the stated goal of rewriting the constitution and combating “constitutional autocracy.” Yunus is said to have played a role in promoting this party, though history suggests that such parties born out of turmoil often fail to gain traction. 

Yunus’s political track record:  Yunus, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, has long harboured political ambitions but lacks experience in governing at the national level. In 2007, he launched the political party Nagorik Shakti under the army-backed caretaker government, aiming to reform Bangladesh’s political culture. However, the party folded due to lack of public support. Chakravarty, who interacted with Yunus during his tenure as High Commissioner, noted that Yunus believed Bangladesh needed a new, honest political culture—a goal he felt the mainstream “corrupt” parties could not achieve. 

Failure to curb violence: As head of the IG, Yunus has been criticized for failing to control violence and even justifying it as “legitimate” or “political” rather than communal. Critics accuse him of allowing Islamist groups to infiltrate institutions and remove appointees of the previous Hasina government. The economic downturn, coupled with rising living costs, has further exacerbated public discontent. 

Military intervention and election uncertainty: In an unprecedented move, Bangladesh’s army chief issued a public warning, calling for an end to infighting and violence, which he said threatened the country’s sovereignty. He also advocated for early elections, directly challenging the student leaders’ desire to prolong their hold on power. Yunus has announced that elections will be held between December 2025 and March 2026, but no clear roadmap has been provided, leading to accusations of procrastination. 

International concerns and regional dynamics: Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, a close friend of Yunus, has expressed concern over the turmoil in Bangladesh. While he believes Yunus is doing his best, Sen has warned against banning the Awami League (AL), as some student leaders have proposed. Meanwhile, India’s relationship with Bangladesh has deteriorated due to the IG’s rhetoric and its perceived alignment with Pakistan and China. Rising anger over India’s visa restrictions for Bangladeshis and the financial strain of hosting over a million Rohingya refugees have further complicated the situation. 

Geopolitical implications:  Chakravarty emphasized that Bangladesh’s actions have significant implications for India’s neighborhood policy and security. The IG’s attempts to balance relations with India, Pakistan, and China reflect the shifting political winds in the region. However, Chakravarty cautioned Bangladesh against crossing red lines, as rhetoric and hatred cannot replace the realities of geopolitics and geoeconomics.