Rizvi Says Muhammad Yunus Incident in New York Damaged Bangladesh’s Image
FARIDPUR, Bangladesh — Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, said Wednesday that an incident involving Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus at a New York airport had damaged Bangladesh’s international image.
Speaking at an event in Charbhadrasan, Faridpur district, Rizvi condemned what he described as disrespectful treatment of Yunus, the former chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government. He blamed the incident on what he called allies of the defeated fascists, though he did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
“Has the country’s honor increased because of this?” Rizvi said, arguing that disrespecting a figure respected internationally had harmed Bangladesh’s reputation.
Rizvi also alleged that attempts were being made to destabilize the government and obstruct its work. He cited a reported cocktail bomb incident outside the prime minister’s office, saying one device exploded while another did not. He further alleged that support for unrest was being directed from India, without providing supporting details.
Addressing energy shortages, Rizvi attributed disruptions in fuel and electricity supplies to the conflict involving Iran and the United States. He said much of Bangladesh’s diesel and other fuel supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to the difficulties. He added that the government was working to ease the shortages and that the situation had improved after fuel was sourced from other countries.
Rizvi made the remarks at a ceremony to hand over a newly built house to Lokai Biswas on behalf of Tarique Rahman. The event was organized under the supervision of the BNP-affiliated initiative “Amra BNP Paribar” in Char Sarbandia village in the Gazirtek union of Charbhadrasan.
Rizvi handed the house keys to Biswas’ family and distributed sewing machines to women to support employment, along with medical assistance.
The event was chaired by Shahidul Islam Babul, a member of Parliament representing Faridpur-4. Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf, a member of Parliament representing Faridpur-3, attended as a special guest, along with local BNP and youth wing leaders.
