BNP leader Barrister Rumeen Farhana has come under heavy criticism on social media after appearing on India’s controversial right-wing channel AajTak Bangla, where she harshly criticized Bangladesh’s interim government and echoed claims against Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
Barrister Rumeen Farhana’s interview with Indian journalist Indrajit Kundu on AajTak Bangla, titled “Why Yunus Doesn’t Want Elections? BNP’s Rumeen Reveals All”, has sparked a wave of online outrage. The interview, uploaded to YouTube, garnered over 74,000 views and 1,140 comments within 20 hours, with many condemning her remarks and questioning her motives for discussing Bangladesh’s internal issues on a foreign platform.
The backlash stems not only from the content of her statements but also from the choice of platform. AajTak Bangla has a track record of publishing misinformation and anti-Bangladesh propaganda. In May, Bangladesh Army’s verified Facebook page flagged one of the channel’s reports as fake, which falsely claimed a senior military officer sought refuge in India.
Critics argue Rumeen’s appearance lends credibility to a media outlet known for spreading fabricated stories about Bangladesh’s politics, military, and national figures. The channel has repeatedly targeted Dr. Yunus and former army official Waqar-uz-Zaman, pushing conspiratorial headlines like “Yunus Escaping?” and “Who Really is Waqar?”
Social media users reacted with dismay. Ahmed Hussain wrote, “Rumeen going to an Indian channel at the last moment—shameful! People like her are enough to tarnish the country’s image.” Others, like Mehdi Hasan Joy, questioned the direction of BNP’s politics, suggesting the party may soon mirror its rival, Awami League.
Activist Sharif Saidur likened Rumeen’s tone to that of controversial figures like Nijhum Majumdar, stating, “The interview felt like a coordinated effort to demean Bangladesh from abroad.” He criticized her for aligning with narratives that benefit foreign interests rather than presenting the country’s perspective.
Rumeen’s dismissal of Yunus as a “complete failure” in all aspects during the interview particularly shocked viewers, with many accusing her of fueling India’s political agenda rather than defending Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Veteran journalist Mahfuz Anam, who has also appeared in Indian media, was cited by some commentators as a contrasting example. While critical of certain national policies, he reportedly defended Bangladesh’s interests and rejected misrepresentation.
Several social media users who once admired Rumeen for her eloquence expressed disappointment. Kaneta Ya Lam-Lam noted, “We’ll criticize Yunus here at home, but going to Indian media crosses a line. Sorry, I can’t support that.”
Since August, AajTak Bangla has broadcast numerous inflammatory stories about BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, accusing him of plotting assassinations and anti-India conspiracies. This includes headlines like “Tarique Paid Crores to Kill Sheikh Hasina?” and “Indian Journalist Exposes Tarique’s Master Plan.”
In light of this background, many see Rumeen’s interview as a misstep, further complicating BNP’s image ahead of any political transitions. As critics pointed out, political differences should be addressed domestically—not on platforms accused of spreading disinformation and foreign propaganda.
LND/BG
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