Dhaka Protest Demands Yunus Trial

A student organisation staged a demonstration at the University of Dhaka calling for the trial of Professor Muhammad Yunus, former head of the interim government, and former health adviser Nurjahan Begum, over allegations linked to a measles outbreak that reportedly caused the deaths of more than three hundred children. The group also demanded that measles be officially declared an epidemic and called for comprehensive measures to contain its spread.

The protest, organised by the Revolutionary Students’ Unity, took place on Wednesday (6 April) in the afternoon at the foot of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus. Participants used symbolic representations of deceased children during the rally.

Speakers at the event alleged that failures of the then interim administration contributed to the widespread outbreak and the resulting child fatalities. They demanded accountability from the former head of government and the former health adviser, insisting that legal proceedings be initiated against them.

Revolutionary Students’ Unity central president Dilip Roy stated that the recent political transition followed a mass uprising against what he described as a “fascist government”, and argued that the future of the nation depended on protecting children. He further claimed that the measles outbreak was not a natural occurrence but a man-made crisis. He also commented on parliamentary silence regarding major public health issues, asserting that neither the Jamaat-e-Islami nor the Bangladesh Nationalist Party had taken a clear position on matters such as international agreements or the measles situation.

General Secretary Jabir Ahmed Jubel alleged that children had been pushed towards death due to what he described as profit-driven decisions by the interim administration. He further claimed that the disease had spread across 58 of the country’s 64 districts and urged the government to formally declare measles an epidemic and implement nationwide preventive measures. He also criticised both the previous and current administrations, stating that neither had taken effective steps to control the outbreak.

Additional criticism was directed at Dhaka University Central Students’ Union leaders for opposing the establishment of a temporary medical camp for measles treatment at the university’s central playground.

Organisation finance secretary and former Dhaka University unit president Nujiya Hasan Rasha called for immediate governmental action to contain the outbreak and demanded judicial investigation into those allegedly responsible in the former interim government. She specifically stated that Muhammad Yunus should be brought under legal scrutiny, alleging misuse of reforms and financial decisions during his tenure.

She also questioned the response of both government and opposition parties, asking what support would be provided to families forced to transport critically ill children to hospitals in Mohakhali. Another leader, Zahidul Islam Riyad, claimed that over three hundred children had died in hospitals according to official figures, and criticised the former interim head of government for international engagements during the crisis period.

Summary of Key Statements

The demonstration concluded with renewed calls for urgent public health intervention and legal accountability regarding the reported outbreak and its consequences.