Several newspapers have reported that, while addressing a programme at Shilpakala Academy held on January 16, honorable prime minister Shaikh Hasina had said, implying Professor Muhammad Yunus, that a former MD of a bank provoked high officials of the US government to threat the Bangladeshi PM to stop financing of Padma Bridge over his removal as Managing Director of the bank.We are saddened and frustrated by the baseless remarks made by the Honorable Prime Minister.
Professor Muhammad Yunus had already given a statement, and repeated it every time in the press when Honorable PM makes the same allegation. Professor Yunus said that Padma Bridge is a dream of the people of Bangladesh, and that he would never stand in the way of realizing that dream. It is out of the question that Professor Yunus encouraged World Bank to cancel the Padma bridge loan. He would never do such a thing against the interest of Bangladesh. Yunus has dedicated his whole life to build various institutions for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh and would never do anything against the interest of the people of Bangladesh. Such unfair and unfounded smear campaign to discredit one of the most respected and celebrated Bangladeshis and his work is unfortunate. It is shocking that Honorable PM keeps repeating the allegation without ever presenting any proof in support of her allegation. There are important implications of Honorable Prime Minister’s comments for the country and personally for Professor Yunus. They create false impressions in the minds of people within and outside the country. We have responded to all of these allegations and issues elaborately before. Media has carried all our responses in details. We are sorry that same allegations keep on resurfacing. – Press release
