Muhammad Yunus Urges Modi to Restrain Hasina's Influence on Bangladesh

In a revealing conversation at Chatham House in London, Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus openly expressed frustration with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's continued influence on Bangladeshi politics through her digital presence from India. Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and transitional head of state since Hasina’s ousting in August 2024, confirmed that he had personally appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and prevent Hasina from addressing Bangladeshis via social media platforms.

Hasina, who fled to India following a student-led uprising that dismantled her administration and the Awami League, has continued to post regular video addresses on YouTube and Facebook. These broadcasts, according to Yunus, fuel unrest and resentment within Bangladesh’s fragile political climate. "She announces on such and such day at such and such hour, she will speak, and the whole of Bangladesh gets very angry,” Yunus said, adding that the content of her speeches incites agitation in an already unstable environment.

Yunus detailed his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, during which he acknowledged India's right to provide refuge but pleaded with the Indian leader to help restrict Hasina’s digital communications targeting Bangladeshis. According to Yunus, Modi responded by saying, “It’s the social media, we cannot control it,” a remark Yunus labeled insufficient given the potential consequences. “It’s an explosive situation. You can’t just walk away by saying it’s social media,” he emphasized, reflecting growing diplomatic tensions.

The interim leader also revealed that an informal, unsigned diplomatic note was sent to Indian authorities requesting Hasina’s extradition. Although India has acknowledged receiving the note, no concrete steps have been taken so far. “We want it to be very legal, very proper. We don’t want to do anything out of anger,” Yunus said. “We want to build the best relationship with India.”

However, Yunus also criticized the Indian media, alleging that fake news from Indian outlets was influencing public perception and adding fuel to existing tensions. “Many people say it has connections with the policymakers at the top,” he remarked, pointing to the possibility of a deeper narrative battle being waged across borders.

Domestically, Yunus’s government faces enormous challenges. Since taking power on August 8, 2024, the interim administration has overseen the political reorganization of Bangladesh. The Awami League was dissolved following the brutal crackdown during the July–August uprising, which reportedly resulted in hundreds of deaths. Multiple former ministers and high-ranking officials have been charged with crimes against humanity by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal.

Ms Hasina herself is now a subject of legal proceedings for her actions during her final days in office. Notices have been issued, and the tribunal has hinted that it may seek Interpol’s assistance if she fails to appear. The tribunal’s investigations focus on the July–August 2024 events, particularly the use of state force against student protesters, many of whom were later instrumental in forming the National Citizen Party (NCP) under the interim government's guidance.

Despite the upheaval, Yunus remains clear that he does not intend to be a part of the elected government once a transition is complete. Nor do any members of his current cabinet of advisers. “We are not here for politics. We are here to ensure that the people of Bangladesh get a chance to vote freely and safely,” Yunus said. The NCP, formed by former student leaders, is seen as a rising force with considerable public backing.

For now, the priority for the interim government remains stabilizing the country, rebuilding institutions, and preventing further unrest. However, the digital presence of Sheikh Hasina from Indian soil continues to be a major hurdle. Yunus's comments suggest that as long as Hasina maintains a direct line to the Bangladeshi public, the road to political normalization will remain fraught with tension.

India's apparent reluctance to intervene further complicates the issue. While it has offered sanctuary to Hasina, its refusal to restrict her outreach or expedite extradition may become a long-term irritant in India-Bangladesh relations. Both countries share deep cultural, economic, and political ties, and the current situation places those ties under unusual strain.

In an age where borders no longer confine influence, the politics of exile, speech, and sovereignty converge into a delicate diplomatic puzzle. For Yunus, restoring calm in Bangladesh may depend not just on domestic reforms but also on whether his powerful neighbor chooses silence or action regarding Sheikh Hasina’s virtual reappearance in the political arena she once ruled.