Wind of change: Muhammad Yunus, BNP surge on Bangladesh social media

Power dynamics changed in Bangladesh after ousted PM Sheikh Hasina’s unceremonious exit earlier this month. It is clearly visible in public behaviour on the Bangladesh social media.

According to an India Today analysis, Bangladesh’s new interim head Muhammad Yunus and the Bangladesh ist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman – currently residing in the UK – have surged on X (formerly Twitter) following Hasina’s chaotic resignation and departure in the face of violent student protests.

More than 1.8 lakh posts focused on “Muhammad Yunus” were published by more than 18,000 users on X over last week.

His popularity growth is reflected in follower gains on X. He gained nearly 12,458 followers within 10 days ending August 10, as against 329 followers in the entire month of July.

Along with Yunus, BNP leader Tarique Rahman – the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia – has also gained big on X. He was followed by 6,672 people in July compared to 213 followers in June. In 10 days ending August 10, he gained 6,257 followers to reach a 59.2 thousand follower base.

Rahman was identified as a center figure in the "India Out" and the #BoycottIndia campaigns.

Similarly, the BNP has beaten Hasina’s Awami League party by a huge margin in terms of monthly follower gains on X. While @albd197 gained 1444 followers in July, the BNP added 7572 users to its X base. The League has seen an almost consistent downfall in the monthly follower growth in the last four years.

Bangladesh is faced with an unprecedented situation after Hasina resigned earlier this month – attacks on minority Hindus are continuing, monuments and statues related to the country’s freedom figures are being vandalised, and police are hiding in safety.

According to the reports, minority communities in Bangladesh have faced at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5.

Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to prevail around Hasina’s future course of action. She landed at the Hindon Air Base near Delhi and was scheduled to take refuge in the UK. Reports now indicate that she might stay in India for a little longer before heading back to her home country.

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