The power equation in Bangladesh has changed after the sudden ouster of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month. This is clearly visible in the behaviour of people on Bangladesh’s social media.
According to an India Today analysis, Bangladesh’s new interim chief Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman – who is currently based in the UK – have risen on X (formerly Twitter) following Hasina’s chaotic resignation and departure in the wake of violent student protests.
Over the past week, more than 1.8 lakh posts focusing on “Muhammad Yunus” were published on X by more than 18,000 users.
His rise in popularity is reflected in his surge in followers on X. He gained around 12,458 followers within 10 days ending August 10, while he had 329 followers in the entire month of July.
Along with Yunus, BNP leader Tarique Rahman – son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia – has also made big gains on X. He was followed by 6,672 people in July compared to 213 followers in June. In the 10 days ending August 10, he gained 6,257 followers, taking his following to 59.2 thousand.
Rehman Recognized as the central character in “India Out” And the #BoycottIndia campaign.
Similarly, the BNP has beaten Hasina’s Awami League party by a huge margin in terms of monthly follower growth on X. In July, @albd197 gained 1444 followers, while the BNP added 7572 users to its X base. The League has seen an almost constant decline in monthly follower growth over the past four years.
Bangladesh is facing an unprecedented situation since Hasina resigned earlier this month — attacks on minority Hindus continue, monuments and statues linked to the country’s independence struggle are being vandalised, and police have been forced to hide in safe locations.
According to reports, minority communities in Bangladesh have faced at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5.
Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over Hasina’s future move. She landed at Hindon Air Base near Delhi and was to seek asylum in the UK. Now reports indicate that she may stay in India for some time before returning to her country.
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