Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, has described the ongoing spread of misinformation against his administration as a “festival of rumours.” Speaking in a nationwide televised address on the eve of Bangladesh’s 53rd Independence Day, Yunus warned that false information was being circulated to mislead the public and destabilize the nation.
Yunus’ remarks come amid speculation that the military is planning to remove him and take control of the interim government. The rumors intensified following a news report claiming that Bangladesh might witness a military takeover, with the army potentially forcing Yunus out. The report suggested that an emergency meeting was convened by Army Chief Wakar Uz Zaman on Monday, attended by top military officials, including lieutenant generals, major generals, and senior officers from independent brigades and headquarters.
According to sources cited in the report, the army is considering pressuring the president to declare a state of emergency or intervening directly by establishing a national unity government under military oversight. Additionally, the deployment of army units in Dhaka has further fueled speculation.
A resurfaced video of Army Chief Zaman from February has also contributed to the rumors. In his speech, he criticized political conflicts and warned that continued infighting could endanger the country’s freedom. Expressing his frustration, he stated that he wanted the military to step back once stability was ensured.
The rumors of a coup also stem from rising tensions between the military-led interim government and the student movement. Earlier in March, similar speculations emerged when reports suggested that Lieutenant General Faizur Rahman had allegedly attempted to oust Zaman as army chief.
In his address, Yunus dismissed the coup rumors, emphasizing that misinformation was being spread in increasingly creative ways. He predicted that as the country moves closer to elections in late 2025 or early 2026, the spread of false narratives would intensify. He also mentioned that the United Nations had been approached for assistance in curbing misinformation, with the UN Secretary-General assuring cooperation.
The Bangladesh army has also refuted the coup allegations, labeling the reports as baseless. The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, released a statement denouncing the news as “false and fabricated.” It specifically criticized the Indian news outlet that published the story, accusing it of sensationalism and a lack of journalistic responsibility. The army further urged the media to avoid spreading unfounded claims that could harm bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.
The latest speculation has once again drawn attention to Bangladesh’s turbulent political history. The country has experienced multiple military coups, beginning with the assassination of its first Prime Minister, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975. That year saw two additional coups, ultimately leading to General Ziaur Rahman seizing power in November. Bangladesh then endured years of military rule before returning to civilian governance.
While both Yunus and the army have firmly rejected the rumors of an impending coup, the ongoing political uncertainty and historical precedents continue to fuel concerns about Bangladesh’s stability.
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Source: First Post
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