New Delhi: Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, Bangladesh’s former ambassador to Morocco, has sought asylum for himself and his family in Canada. Rashid’s passport was cancelled by Bangladesh after his disparaging remarks against the Muhammad Yunus led interim government in that country.
Rashid had made the comments on Facebook on March 14, 2025, castigating the present government of his country for allowing Bangladesh to descend into anarchy under the controversial Nobel laureate. “Millions face an impossible choice: death, exile, or submission to radical extremism,” he wrote.
Yunus and the Grameen Bank, of which he was the founder, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, for “their efforts to create economic and social development from below.” Later, he was accused of violating Bangladesh’s labour laws and sentenced to prison for six months by a court of that country. He appealed against this order and was granted bail.
Some claimed that the sentencing took place as Yunus did not see eye-to-eye with Bangladesh prime minister Sk Hasina, on how the Grameen Bank was being run. Hence it came as a surprise to many when Yunus reached Dhaka, soon after Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5, 2024, and took charge of the interim government there. After all, Yunus, thanks to his disputes with Hasina, was not an ideal choice for that position as a neutral party.
Things became clear when the interim government under him looked the other way as radicals vandalised and destroyed nearly everything related to Bangladesh’s first elected prime minister – and Hasina’s father – Bangabandhu Mujibur Rahman and the country’s Liberation War of 1971. Bangabandhu’s residence in Dhanmandir, Dhaka, was also ransacked.
Attacks on minority Hindus and Buddhists were also reported from several parts of the country. There were also allegations of bars imposed on women, as sanctioned under Sharia law. The interim government also urged India to extradite Hasina, so she may face trial in Bangladesh. There was also a severe crackdown on Awami League leaders and supporters in the country and many have been put behind bars on several charges.
Rashid, who was the ambassador to Morocco since 2023 till February 27, 2025, has clearly mentioned that Hasina’s ouster was undemocratic and orchestrated through a ‘meticulously coordinated terrorist onslaught.’ This was too much for the interim government to digest and it summoned Rashid to Dhaka. He didn’t return though and preferred to seek sanctuary in Canada, with his family.
