Former Kolkata High Court Judge and BJP MP Advocates for Revocation of Dr. Yunus' Nobel Prize

Former Kolkata High Court Judge and BJP MP Advocates for Revocation of Dr. Yunus' Nobel Prize

Kolkata: Former Kolkata High Court judge and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Abhijit Banerjee has called for the revocation of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government. This statement was made after a parliamentary session on Saturday, when Banerjee returned to Kolkata and addressed journalists at the airport.

Banerjee, known for his vocal stance on issues related to Bangladesh, strongly criticized Yunus’ role in leading what he described as an "illegal" government in Bangladesh. He accused the interim government of committing significant injustices, particularly against minority communities in the country.

“I believe Dr. Yunus does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize anymore. The way he has been running the government in Bangladesh for the last 90 days is entirely illegal. The prime minister has not resigned, and the country is seeing attacks on people of other religions during the night. In light of these developments, I think the Nobel Committee should immediately revoke his award. I am not sure if there are rules for such a thing, but if there are rules for awarding such honors, there must also be a procedure to cancel them,” Banerjee said.

He further commented on the current international attention on Bangladesh, particularly concerning rising religious intolerance. Banerjee added, "The world is watching the situation in Bangladesh closely, and such barbarity cannot be allowed to continue."

In his remarks, Banerjee also referred to the detention of Chinmoy Krishna Das, an ISKCON leader, who was reportedly placed among common criminals. He criticized the conditions in which Das was being held, raising concerns about his safety. "In any civilized country, this should not happen. If someone needs to be detained, they should be kept in a separate location, not with common criminals. The ISKCON leader has expressed fears for his life, stating he could be killed at any moment."

Banerjee also spoke about attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, asserting that the perpetrators should be aware that their actions will have consequences beyond their borders. “There are Hindus in many countries across the world, and in countries like India, Hindus and Muslims live together peacefully. The people attacking Hindus in Bangladesh should know that their communities are also present worldwide,” he said.

Banerjee's comments come at a time of heightened political and religious tension in Bangladesh, which has sparked international concerns about religious freedom and human rights. His call for the revocation of Dr. Yunus’ Nobel Peace Prize adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate over the Nobel laureate’s role in Bangladesh’s political landscape.                                                                  ✍️ Report Prepared By: Fozla Rabbi Robna