Yunus hints at amending constitution

In an interview with DW, Interim government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus addressed an array of issues, including the domestic political situation, Bangladesh's relations with India and the influx of the Rohingya into the country.

He hinted at amending the constitution. "We should be focusing on the major issues of constitution and build a consensus. We cannot do anything without a consensus because our strength comes from the consensus. If we can establish the consensus, we go ahead and do that," he said.

But Yunus refused to give an exact date for the next election, saying that it will be held "as soon as possible."

He further stated that former PM Hasina "destroyed almost all institutions" and "the economy was shattered." "You do not know where to begin because everything has to be restarted in a different way," he said, adding that his interim administration wants to "establish citizens' rights, human rights, democracy and everything that goes with a good governance."

During the interview, Yunus also accused Hasina’s administration of corruption, which he said shattered the nation’s economy.

“Money siphoned off from Bangladesh, through government channels to bank channels and so on. Contracts were signed not for the benefit of the people but for the benefit of a family or family members, and something like that. So, those ugly things that you see when a government goes in the wrong direction, things happen, terrible things happen in the economy and so on.”

On the question of Bangladesh's relations with India, which shared close ties with Hasina's administration, Yunus said Dhaka has no option but to maintain good ties with New Delhi.

"Bangladesh must have the best of relationship with India, out of its own necessity and out of its own acquaintances, and the similarity of the things that we do together. We share each other's history. So there is no escape route for Bangladesh to do something else," he said.

After the student protests turned into a mass uprising against her, Hasina fled to India in a military helicopter.

New Delhi has not provided details on Hasina's location, though she is believed to be sheltering in a safe house.

Yunus' interim government in Dhaka has already revoked Hasina's diplomatic passport, and more and more voices in Bangladesh, including its top prosecutors, are demanding the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He also briefly touched upon Dhaka's policy toward the Rohingya people. "The Rohingya are trickling in as trouble begins in Rakhine," he said, referring to the armed conflict in Myanmar's western province that shares a long border with Bangladesh.

"The Rohingya are trying to find a way to escape, that they're coming towards Bangladesh. We can't stop them, we can't push them back. Pushing them back means we are pushing them to death. I don't think any country can do that. So we welcome people who come, let them come in," he underlined.

However, he stressed that the situation is challenging for Bangladesh.