Meeting between Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus and extremist leader sparks row

Pictures of Bangladesh interim government's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus meeting with Mamunul Haque, a leader of the extremist group Hefazat-e-Islam and his group members in Dhaka, have sparked a huge controversy.

According to sources, the meeting between Muhammad Yunus and Hefazat leaders, held on Saturday (August 31), was on election reforms and the need to hold polls on time. The images of the meeting have been doing the rounds on social media.

The meeting between Muhammad Yunus and Mamunul Haque raised several concerns, given Hefazat-e-Islam's notorious reputation for having made provocative statements and maintaining an anti-India stance.

Mamunul Haque was arrested during the Sheikh Hasina-led tenure under various charges, including instigating violence. But since Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled Bangladesh following anti-government protests last month, the interim government has freed Mamunul Haque and other extremist leaders.

The interim government also lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest Islamist party, a move that has left neighbouring India worried amid concerns over attacks on Hindus following Hasina's ouster.

Recently, the interim government freed Jashimuddin Rahmani, the chief of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), an al-Qaida-affiliated terror outfit. The release is a matter of concern for India as the terror group has been trying to establish a jihadi network with the help of sleeper cells.

On the other hand, Hefazat leaders have often clashed with progressive elements in Bangladesh.

Hefazat-e-Islam was formed in 2010 and seeks to uphold conservative Islamic values. The group frequently opposes constitutional principles and societal reforms. Their activities, particularly in running madrasas and propagating ideas of an Islamic revolution, have been contentious.

Mamunul Haque has been a particularly polarising figure within the Hefazat-e-Islam. His protests during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh exemplified his group's deeply entrenched anti-India sentiment.

Born in 1973, Mamunul Haque's ascent within the organisation has been marked by his articulate yet fiery speeches and inflexible viewpoints, drawing a mix of staunch supporters and adamant critics.

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