Nobel Committee should revoke Yunus' Peace prize

Muhammad Yunus finds his legacy overshadowed by the atrocities and communal violence that have plagued Bangladesh, particularly under the Islamist-inspired regime that has come in.

- SAVIO RODRIGUES

The Nobel Peace Prize is an honour synonymous with the values of justice, human rights, and the promotion of peace. However, its credibility comes into question when awarded to individuals whose leadership, even indirectly, coincides with actions that undermine these principles. Muhammad Yunus, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work in micro-finance, now finds his legacy overshadowed by the atrocities and communal violence that have plagued Bangladesh, particularly under the Islamist-inspired regime that has come in.

In recent months, Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in violence against its Hindu minority. This wave of targeted atrocities, including land grabs, attacks on temples, and the persecution of religious figures, has drawn international condemnation. The arrest of a Hindu monk on sedition charges, after being accused of disrespecting the Bangladeshi national flag, epitomises the state's increasingly repressive approach toward minorities. Meanwhile, the perpetrators of widespread anti-Hindu violence remain at large, prompting India to express official concern.

This troubling escalation of hostilities has coincided with Bangladesh's August regime change, allegedly backed by the United States, which installed an Islamistinfluenced clique into power.