Bangladesh's former interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus faced angry protests from a group of Bangladeshi activists at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday. The agitated demonstrators accused him of undermining democracy in Bangladesh, with some shouting "Go back" and calling him a "terrorist".
According to multiple media reports, Yunus arrived at JFK Airport on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. A video circulating on social media showed several protesters confronting him as he was being escorted out of the airport in a wheelchair, according to reports by Moneycontrol and Bangladeshi media outlets.
In the footage, one protester can be heard shouting, "You, terrorist, why did you come here? You have destroyed the democracy in my country!"
Others accused Yunus of being responsible for deaths in Bangladesh, including those of police personnel, and demanded that he leave. Security personnel and associates escorted him away from the protesters. According to reports, Yunus and his aide, Lamia Morshed, briefly moved back inside the airport during the confrontation.
The identities of the protesters have not been independently confirmed. Some reports suggested that they may have been supporters of the Awami League, the party led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, but this identification remains unverified.
Why are some Bangladeshis angry with Yunus?
Yunus took charge of Bangladesh’s interim administration in August 2024, following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina amid a student-led uprising. His administration subsequently faced criticism over law and order, political violence, alleged abuses and the treatment of political opponents.
The protesters at JFK reportedly alleged that approximately 2,00,000 people had been arrested and blamed Yunus for the deaths of thousands of police personnel. These figures and accusations were not independently verified in the reports.
His tenure also coincided with strained relations between India and Bangladesh. Yunus drew criticism in India after remarks during a March 2025 visit to China concerning India’s northeastern states and their economic connectivity.
Yunus stepped down as head of the interim administration in February 2026, ahead of the transfer of power to an elected government.
The airport confrontation highlights continuing anger among some Bangladeshis over his time in office. However, the protesters’ allegations should be treated as accusations rather than established facts.
You may also like to watch