Yunus vs. Awami League
The ruling party pounces on Prof, Yunus, albeit verbally, as controversial reports appear about the Nobel Laureate
by Anwar Parvez Halim
Grameen Bank's success made Prof. Yunus into an icon of micro-credit, particularly in the western world. He received one international award after the other, the icing on the cake being the Nobel Peace Prize. He became an international personality and the darling of the West. If there were any anomalies in Grameen Bank, this was covered in an avalanche of praise and adulation from abroad.
However, he has had his fair share of detractors too, both at home and abroad. They were waiting to pounce on the Professor and then the moment arrived. It was a report from Norway itself that dragged the Nobel Laureate into a quagmire of controversy.
In a documentary telecast on Norway's state TV channel, it was said that Professor Yunus has channeled funds given by various European donors for Grameen Bank, to a different organisation called Grameen Kalyan. This occurred back in 1996, apparently, and the matter was settled when the funds were transferred back to Grameen Bank in 1998. Whatever the matter be, the report created a stir in the media, both inside the country and outside. Prof. Yunus hard-earned reputation was subject to controversy.
It was certainly shocking, though, that at this time of crisis for the Nobel Laureate, the Bangladesh government did not stand by his side. The matter was proven to have been resolved, but the government and ruling party Awami League lost no time in virtually declaring a jihad against the micro-credit guru. The Prime Minister, minister and leaders of the ruling party decried Prof. Yunus in no uncertain terms, using harsh language to criticise him and Grameen Bank. If fact, he is even having to appear in court due to a case filed against him by some insignificant person. And the central bank is now investigating Grameen Bank's programmes.
On December 1 bdnews24.com released a news report based on a report, 'In the Micro-Credit Debt' by Tom Heinemann on Norway state TV aired on November 30. The very next day most newspapers in Bangladesh picked the report stating that Prof. Yunus has misappropriated crores of taka. Anti-Yunus quarters immediately took up the issue and began spewing put criticism. Finance Minister Muhith said, "If funds are transferred with an understanding, there is nothing wrong.' The Prime Minister was out of the country at the time. Upon her return from her Russia, Belgium and Japan trip on December, she spoke in her characteristic caustic manner about Prof. Yunus: "It has been proved that no one can lives off the blood of the poor people. This is an instance of siphoning off poor people's money. Bangladesh's people have been used as guinea pigs. We never approved of this."
The Prime Minister perhaps should not have so publicly castigated a national figure like Prof. Yunus. The public may wittingly or unwittingly say many things, but Hasina is the Prime Minister of the country. Another influential leader of Awami League directly accused Prof. Yunus of being corrupt. People naturally began to question why all this arsenal was being fired at Prof. Yunus?
Of course, Hasina's criticism of Yunus was nothing new. In fact, Awami League's aversion for Dr. Yunus surfaced towards the end of 2006 during the caretaker government of Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed. The four-party alliance had just stepped down from power and the grand alliance had stirred chaos in the country. At this juncture Prof. Yunus called upon the President at Bangabhaban and advised him not to succumb to any pressure, but to adhere to any decision that he feels best. That was enough for Awami League to be up in arms against Yunus, taking or granted that he was of the BNP camp. Thus began their Yunus-phobia.
It was when the caretaker government was carrying out an operation after 1/11 to clear the country of political debris and "minus" Hasina and Khaleda from the political scene, that Prof. Yunus was bestowed with the hallowed Nobel Peace Prize. The country was agog with pride and joy. Perhaps the adulation went to his head, because with the blessings of the caretaker government, he decided to form a political party of his own. But he learnt that the development scenario was quite a different world from politics.
While others remained non-committal about his forming a political party, Sheikh Hasina called him a shud-khor, an insulting term for usurer or money lender who lives off the interest of his loans. Awami League's characteristic zero-tolerance reared its head. Anyway, the new political party never really took off the ground.
Prof. Yunus is a prominent economist. As it is, the concept of micro-credit was debated in the field of economics. His contemporary economists like Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Br. Abu Barakat, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmed and Dr. Anu Muhammed were all stern critics of Prof. Yunus. However, none of them grudged him the Nobel Prize, some even according him receptions. But the differences remained.
While Prof. Yunus may have enjoyed the bright image of a Banker of the Poor abroad, he was no demigod to the poor people of Bangladesh. He was just another NGO leader who gave them micro-loans at high interest rates. So when he plunged into politics, the people did not respond as he had expected them to and he was not welcomed. His timing was perhaps all wrong -- the right man at the wrong time. The people felt that he had taken full advantage of the "minus two" operation and had come up with his King's Party. Despite all the 1/11 endeavouring to belittle the politicians, the fact remained that Khaleda and Hasina were by far more popular than Yunus. Yunus initiative fell flat.
Elite urban circles did support Yunus at the time because they saw that Yunus was much more respected and liked by foreign leaders and dignitaries than Khaleda or Hasina. Yunus has wanted to use his global strength for local politics. He got his math all wrong. Politics is power play, not a game he was good at.
Even so, the politicians remained wary of Yunus. He always seems to hang above their heads like Damocles' sword. There were speculations of a national government to replace the failed political government and rumours were that Dr. Yunus was the man to head such a government.
However, ground reality remains that the two political forces of the country are Awami League and BNP. Everything else revolves around them. Even parties like Jatiya Party or Jamaat-e-Islami depend on these parties for their existence. Without Awami League, Jatiya Party will be reduced to "old autocrats" and without BNP, Jamaat is condemned as "razakars" or collaborators. They have to be affiliated by one or the other if they are to survive. The two parties are unwilling to allow any new kid on the block. They protect their turf fiercely against any possible third force, civil or military. In this matter, both the parties are in consensus. Neither Khaleda nor Hasina are ready to make way for any other replacement. So Prof. Yunus finds himself left out in the cold when it comes to politics.
In the meantime, Prof. Yunus' leadership within Grameen Bank itself has also been questioned. It is alleged that many experienced and expert perhaps have left Grameen Bank, or were obliged to leave, because of Prof. Yunus one-man rule.
From the very outset Prof. Yunus has remained at the helm of Grameen Bank. There is no second man. no chance of any alternative to grow. Yet at home and abroad he champions democracy, good governance and rights. So how does he explain his dictatorial style of management? However, even the persons who accuse him of being a dictator in the bank and even those who have left the bank because of this, have never accused him of corruption. It was only Awami League and its leaders who have directly called him a corrupt man.When Hasina saw that Prof. Yunus 'strength' has been internationally questioned she took these opportunity at full length
The West too now questions the sustainability and efficacy of micro-credit as a tool for poverty alleviation. Prof. Yunus himself is changing too and his replacing his social work with the term 'social business'. Critics say by attaching the term 'social' to business, he can do away with certain taxes and tariffs applicable to regular businesses.
Telenor, Grameen Phone's mother organisation, is at loggerheads with Yunus over business matters. Some say that it was Telenor who instigated reporter Tom Heinemann to report about discrepancies in Yunus' dealings.
All said and done, quarters are now questioning whether Prof. Yunus can remain as the head of Grameen Bank.
__._,_.___
