Do you remember the days of July and August 2024? After mob violence, bodies lay on the streets. Families moved from hospital to hospital searching for missing relatives. Armed groups, including activists linked by authorities to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, were accused by opponents of deploying snipers during clashes. Many did not survive the unrest. It was in the aftermath of that turmoil that Muhammad Yunus assumed the role of Chief Adviser. Critics allege that one of the first major decisions under his administration was the withdrawal of a court ruling requiring him to pay 666 crore taka

in taxes — a move they describe as prioritising personal legal relief over institutional process. Supporters argue that the case itself had long been contested and politically charged. Expanding the Grameen Network In the months that followed, a series of decisions involving Grameen-linked institutions drew scrutiny. Tax exemptions for Grameen Bank were extended until 2029. The state’s ownership stake in the bank was reduced from 25% to 10%. Approvals were granted for entities including Grameen University and new ventures under Grameen Telecom. Additionally, 700 crore taka from the Ministry of Social Welfare was reportedly allocated to Grameen Trust through a special procurement method without

open tender — a decision questioned by critics who argue that it concentrated benefits within a network closely associated with the Chief Adviser. A previous report by the BBC News noted that Dr Yunus has faced sustained criticism over potential conflicts of interest, allegations he has denied. References -➡️ Withdrawal of the verdict ordering Dr. Yunus to pay Tk 666 crore in tax: https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/Court/2024/10/03/1431363 ➡️ Tax exemption for Grameen Bank extended until 2029 https://www.jugantor.com/economics/864221 ➡️ Dr. Yunus faces criticism over receiving various facilities and privileges https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cnv1yev98qeo The Grameenphone Question Financial disputes involving Grameenphone have also resurfaced. The state has claimed dues of more than 10,500 crore

taka from the operator, with additional sums reportedly owed to the telecom regulator. Since Dr Yunus took office, critics say there has been no visible acceleration in recovering those funds. Grameenphone declared a 330% dividend in 2024, distributing 4,456 crore taka to shareholders — roughly half of which went to Norway’s Telenor, the majority stakeholder. References -➡️ Grameenphone’s revenue exceeds nearly Tk 4,000 crore at the beginning of the year https://www.prothomalo.com/business/market/fpv4fx7fz6 ➡️ Dr. Yunus’s new business ventures and the state of the country’s economy https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16hCiWKnDo/ ➡️ Tk 10,500 crore owed by Grameenphone; Tk 2,400 crore owed by Teletalk and Robi https://www.jugantor.com/national-others/642740 ➡️ Starlink to be

an extension of Grameen Bank and Grameenphone, says Dr. Yunus to Musk https://thesun24.com/starlink-extension-of-grameen-bank.../ The government has not publicly linked dividend payments to the dispute over outstanding dues. Starlink and Strategic Direction When the possibility of introducing Starlink — owned by Elon Musk — was raised, many anticipated broader consumer internet access. However, remarks suggesting that the service could support expansion of Grameen Bank and Grameenphone prompted further debate about priorities and beneficiaries. Allegations Around Advisers Controversy has not been limited to economic policy. Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan faced questions after his father was listed as a contractor under a government engineering department shortly

after his son’s appointment. The adviser described it as an “unintentional mistake”. The Anti-Corruption Commission has reportedly launched inquiries into allegations against aides to multiple advisers, including claims of influence-peddling and irregular tender dealings involving substantial sums. Those accused have denied wrongdoing. Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum has also faced scrutiny over past professional ties to Grameen Bank, where she previously served in a senior capacity. Critics argue that personal networks may have influenced appointments; supporters say her banking background provides administrative experience. Separate allegations involving financial transactions between Adviser Mahfuz Alam and a relative abroad have been dismissed by those involved as baseless.

No court ruling has yet determined the matter. References - ➡️ Asif Mahmud in discussion over father and APS controversy — what does the adviser say? https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cwy0d9zdeeeo ➡️ Activities of Adviser Asif’s reckless father under scrutiny https://www.facebook.com/share/v/174PDVNy44/ ➡️ ACC investigates corruption allegations against APSs of two advisers https://www.jugantor.com/tp-lastpage/945726 ➡️ Qualifications of interim government adviser Nurjahan Begum https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/v5ryndssed ➡️ Allegation of Tk 6.5 crore transaction in Sydney; Mahfuz and his brother call it a rumor https://www.tbsnews.net/.../bangladesh/news-details-370721 ➡️ Allegations of lobbying trade — misconduct of Salauddin Tanvir exposed https://www.jugantor.com/tp-firstpage/944844 ➡️ Sargis Alam explains the source of funds for his vehicle convoy https://www.kalerkantho.com/.../national/2025/03/25/1497098 Extortion Allegations Nationwide Perhaps most damaging to public confidence have been repeated reports of individuals identifying themselves as “coordinators” linked to reformist or anti-discrimination movements being arrested across the country on charges including extortion and intimidation. From Rangpur to Chattogram, Rajshahi to Sylhet, law enforcement agencies have detained multiple individuals accused of demanding money under organisational banners. In some cases, violence has reportedly followed disputes over alleged proceeds. The BBC News has previously reported that such incidents have raised questions about oversight within sections of the protest movement. Organisers maintain that those involved acted independently and do not represent the broader cause. References -➡️ Allegation of extortion demand by coordinator Nahid Hasan Khandakar in Rangpur https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/c7890vz7rlno ➡️ Expelled co-coordinator arrested in an extortion case https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/6h3ukzt78y ➡️ Two coordinators detained over extortion allegations, in police custody https://bangla.thedailystar.net/news/chattogram/news-661781 ➡️ One arrested for extortion posing as a student coordinator https://www.banglanews24.com/nati.../news/bd/1385437.details ➡️ Two arrested including NCP representative in Pirojpur extortion case https://www.news71.com/bangladesh/103985 ➡️ Two arrested for extortion posing as coordinators https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/cdwrrmnuqo ➡️ Four coordinators confined over extortion allegations https://www.jaijaidinbd.com/education/534155 ➡️ Five detained with weapons for extortion posing as coordinators https://www.dainikamadershomoy.com/details/01942d51ce6b8 ➡️ Coordinator stabs another coordinator for obstructing extortion https://www.kalerkantho.com/.../countr.../2024/09/07/1423006 ➡️ Youth detained for extortion using coordinator assistance receipt https://www.dhakapost.com/amp/country/311482 ➡️ Nine arrested including a woman for extortion posing as coordinators https://www.jugantor.com/capital/869966 ➡️ Nine arrested in Companiganj for extortion posing as coordinators https://dailysylhetmirror.com/news/64925 ➡️ Extortion under the identity of coordinators — Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and three organisations under question https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cx29eq9vwywo A Broader Reflection The protest movement that swept the country was driven, many participants say, by hopes of genuine reform. The central question now being debated is whether the transition represented structural change — or merely a change in who occupies positions of power. A Nobel Prize, observers note, does not automatically shield a leader from scrutiny. Nor does academic distinction guarantee public trust. Two years on, Bangladesh remains divided over the legacy of that turbulent period. For some, it marked the beginning of necessary reform. For others, it has become a cautionary tale: that in moments of upheaval, sacrifice and idealism can be overtaken by more familiar patterns of power and patronage.