Govt blamed for removal of Dr Yunus

Several NGO executives in a joint statement yesterday expressed deep concern over the termination of Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus from the post of Grameen Bank managing director in a “disgraceful and abnormal” manner by the government.
They also criticised the government for not giving Dr Yunus the opportunity of self-defence.
Moreover a section of people are spreading propaganda against Dr Yunus following a Norwegian television documentary, though it was resolved by the Norwegian government many years ago, said the statement.
Government decision coupled with such propaganda will tarnish image of the country in international arena. The faith of 83 lakh Grameen Bank members and three crore micro-credit borrowers in Bangladesh as well as several crores across the globe will be lost, they said.
Bangladesh Environment Lawyers' Association Executive Chief Syeda Rizwana Hassan, Credit Development Forum Executive Director Abdul Awal, NGO Federation Director M Tajul Islam, International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions Executive Director Atikunnabi and Bangladesh Shishu Odhikar Forum Executive Director Kafiluddin Ahmed signed the statement
If the reshuffle in the bank management was done in a positive way, it would help maintain the bank's stability and uphold the country's image.
They also urged the committee, formed to scrutinise the bank's activities, to take necessary steps to end misunderstandings, if any, between the govt and the bank management.
Meanwhile, two organisations yesterday condemned the removal of Dr Yunus from Grameen Bank and demanded review of the decision.
“The decision of removing Dr Muhammad Yunus from Grameen Bank is not only illegal but a testimony to colonial mindset,” said Mukto Rajnaitik Andolon.
“The decision is an attempt to destroy the revolutionary steps of micro-credit, changing the lives of eight million destitute women, with the touch of a pen,” it said, urging all to resist the government decision.
Another organisation, We Love Dr Yunus, in a statement, demanded review of the decision considering its probable disastrous effects on Grameen Bank.
“Grameen Bank and Dr Yunus are our pride and he should be treated in such a manner,” it said.