Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen has expressed deep concern over the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. He stated that his friend, interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is taking significant measures to resolve the crisis, but overcoming the current deadlock will require a long journey.
Sen made these remarks in an interview with India’s news agency PTI, which was published on Sunday (March 2). Speaking from his home in Santiniketan, West Bengal, he said that Bangladesh’s situation has profoundly affected him, and he is also concerned about how the country will face its future challenges. He emphasized his strong Bengali identity as a reason for his deep interest in Bangladesh’s affairs.
“I have spent a considerable amount of time in Dhaka, where my educational journey began. Besides Dhaka, I often visited my ancestral home in Manikganj. On my mother’s side, I have connections to Bikrampur, particularly Sonarang. These places hold personal significance for me. Like many others, I am anxious about how Bangladesh will navigate its future challenges,” he said.
Amartya Sen spent much of his childhood in Dhaka and began his formal education at St. Gregory’s School there before moving to Rabindranath Tagore’s Santiniketan School to continue his studies.
Regarding Bangladesh’s progress since its independence, Sen noted that at one point, the country’s per capita income surpassed that of India. Additionally, Bangladesh’s birth rate declined, and its average life expectancy exceeded that of India.
He acknowledged Bangladesh’s significant economic and social transformations, particularly in women’s empowerment. As a researcher, he observed that both the government and private organizations—especially BRAC and Grameen Bank—have played crucial roles in this progress.
On Political Changes and Awami League’s Downfall
On August 5 last year, former autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following a mass uprising led by students and the general public. That day marked the end of the Awami League’s 16-year rule. Amid public outrage over the killing of protesters, many Bangladeshis have called for the party’s political ban. However, Amartya Sen does not support outlawing the Awami League.
“There is a tradition of working together in Bangladesh, and I want that to continue rather than pushing any particular party aside. I hope Bangladesh will uphold its values of freedom and pluralism. I also hope future elections will be more impartial than the previous ones, which were claimed to be fair. There is room for change. I am worried about Bangladesh, but I am not without hope,” he said.
Praise for the Military’s Role
Besides Bangladesh’s economic progress, Sen also spoke about the country’s military. He praised the armed forces for not attempting to seize power, noting that in many other countries, the military often tries to take control.
On Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s Leadership
When asked about Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Sen referred to him as an old friend and expressed confidence in his capabilities.
“Dr. Yunus is an exceptional person with great abilities. He has delivered strong messages about Bangladesh’s secularism and democracy,” Sen said.
He acknowledged that assuming state leadership presents unique challenges, and Dr. Yunus is now facing such a situation. However, he expressed full confidence in Yunus’s ability to overcome these difficulties.
“If you suddenly become the leader of a country, as Yunus has, you must consider several factors. There are Islamic parties, and now even Hindu parties. I have complete faith in Yunus’s capabilities,” he added.
On Minority Rights and Religious Tensions
Amartya Sen also addressed concerns about minority rights in Bangladesh. While there have been some incidents of violence against minorities, Indian media has been spreading exaggerated propaganda on the issue.
“Minority rights are a critical issue because Bangladesh takes pride in treating its minorities fairly and keeping parties like Jamaat-e-Islami under scrutiny. Unfortunately, attacks on mosques happen in India as well. Such incidents—whether in Bangladesh or India—must stop,” he said.
Sen warned against communal tensions, emphasizing that selectively highlighting incidents to provoke religious conflict is a dangerous and easy tactic.
“During the Hindu-Muslim riots of the 1940s, tensions were stoked in a similar manner, leading to horrific bloodshed. We must learn from the past and move forward with the future in mind,” he concluded.
