Muhammad Yunus Heckled by Bangladeshi Expatriates at New York’s JFK Airport
Former Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus faced angry accusations from Bangladeshi expatriates at New York’s JFK Airport. The confrontation reflects continuing criticism of his administration over political violence, law and order, and accountability.
Former Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus faced a hostile reception from a group of Bangladeshi expatriates at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport on Monday.
Videos circulating on social media showed people shouting accusations at the Nobel laureate as he was escorted through the airport in a wheelchair. Some called him a “terrorist” and accused his administration of failing to protect lives and uphold democracy. Security personnel later escorted him away from the confrontation.
Bangladeshi media reports said Yunus arrived at Terminal 8 on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. His aide, Lamia Morshed, was reportedly accompanying him. The identities and political affiliations of those involved have not been independently confirmed.
The confrontation comes amid continuing criticism of Yunus’s tenure following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. Political opponents have accused the interim administration of failing to contain violence and maintain law and order.
Human rights concerns during the period included reported attacks on minority communities, allegations of arbitrary arrests and custodial deaths, and questions about accountability for abuses. The circumstances and responsibility for individual incidents remain matters requiring evidence and investigation.
Yunus’s administration also faced scrutiny over legal measures concerning cases linked to the July–August 2024 uprising, while his remarks about India’s northeastern states drew criticism in New Delhi.
There was no immediate public response from Yunus or his representatives regarding the airport incident. The episode highlights the continuing political divisions surrounding Bangladesh’s turbulent transition.
