Professor Muhammad Yunus faced intense protests from expatriate Bangladeshis upon arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The demonstration drew sharp condemnation from Dhaka officials, who announced plans for legal action against those involved in the airport confrontation.
Former chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on a Qatar Airways flight, moving through Terminal 8 in a wheelchair as a group of Bangladeshi expatriates gathered near him. Demonstrators surrounded the wheelchair, shouting slogans and leveling accusations regarding political violence and the state of affairs in Bangladesh. Footage circulating on social media showed individuals pressing close to his transport, demanding to know why he had traveled to the United States.
Demonstrators Confront Yunus At Terminal 8
The crowd at the airport voiced sharp anger, with participants labeling the Nobel laureate a terrorist and holding him accountable for deaths and arrests during his tenure leading the interim government. Protesters chanted go back and questioned his presence in the country. According to reports from the Daily Sun cited by regional media, airport security and Yunus’s companion, Lamia Morshed, moved quickly to shield him and guide him back inside secure airport areas as the crowd closed in.
Expatriate participants aligned with the Awami League claimed responsibility for organizing the airport protest. Organizers and attendees at the scene included local party figures such as Awami League general secretary Imdad Chowdhury. Protesters asserted that Yunus had damaged democratic institutions and left thousands of police officers and citizens vulnerable during his administration.
Dhaka Prepares Legal Action Against Organizers
The government in Dhaka responded swiftly to the New York airport confrontation, categorizing the incident as targeted harassment rather than legitimate political expression.
Dr. Yunus, attempts to harass actress Badhon are not pressure groups or anything of the sort, this is Awami terrorism. Legal processes regarding this have been initiated, and more will be taken in the future. There is no question of letting such actions by Awami terrorists go unchallenged.
The information adviser stated that authorities are identifying individuals involved in overseas confrontations targeting visiting Bangladeshi figures. He added that the government is examining whether standard very-very-important person (VVIP) security protocols were fully maintained during the former chief adviser’s arrival.
Political Parties Exchange Accusations Over Protest
Political organizations across Bangladesh offered sharply divergent interpretations of the JFK Airport protest. The National Youth Power wing of the National Citizens’ Party condemned the demonstration as an act of political violence orchestrated by ousted Awami League supporters fearful of upcoming accountability.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami deputy emir Syed Abdullah Md. Taher also issued a formal statement denouncing the confrontation, arguing that overseas harassment undermines the dignity of the nation.
Former law adviser Asif Nazrul defended Yunus in social media comments, emphasizing his global standing and contributions. Meanwhile, representatives for the Awami League defended the actions of the expatriate demonstrators as a natural expression of grief and outrage from citizens unwilling to pardon the former interim leader for the economic and political damage inflicted on the country.