On November 17, 2024, a tweet from the office of Professor Muhammad Yunus falsely claimed that he was addressing the G20 Social Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This announcement sparked immediate scrutiny, as the assertion was promptly challenged by Weekly Blitz, an internationally renowned newspaper, which declared the claim false. The publication provided compelling evidence, revealing that no such address took place. Three days later – on November 20, 2024, the tweet was quietly deleted and replaced with an acknowledgment of the error, along with an apology.

The revised statement clarified that Professor Yunus had, in fact, inaugurated the “3rd Bay of Bengal Conversation (BOBC) 2024”, an event hosted by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) – an NGO patronized by Democratic Party-led US administration on November 16, where Yunus emphasized the critical need to tackle climate change. However, the shift in narrative raises pressing questions: Was this a mere mistake or a deliberate attempt of misleading locals and international community through spreading disinformation and fake news.

Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, is now facing criticism from various quarters not only for suspicious behavior of his media team – also for his confusing statements to various international and local media outlets – including Al Jazeera. His recent remarks centering duration of his “interim government” is already marked by controversies as he could not provide any specific timeframe or a plan of holding the next general elections. Meanwhile, Yunus in another interview to vernacular daily Banik Barta claimed his advisors were in a hurry of getting relieved of their responsibly due to “financial crisis” as they failed to bear expenses of education of their children from the salary they receive. He even expressed his willingness of leaving the office – if people wanted. What Yunus did not express is – he and members of his administration are becoming increasingly worried at Donald Trump’s stunning and historic victory during November 5 elections, because Yunus is known as Trump-hater and is a close ally of Obama, Clintons, Soros and Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, there are indications of possible sanctions on targeting several key figures in the Yunus administration, including top civil-military officers. According to media reports, Indian Americans are planning to engage with the Donald Trump administration and Congress next year to push for action against Yunus-led regime in Bangladesh, seeking economic sanctions, citing the alleged persecution of the Hindu community. Degree of orchestrated attacks, murder, rape and arson attacks targeting Hindus in Bangladesh has already crossed the alarming level.

Commenting on such actions, a highly-placed source stated, President Donald Trump is extremely worried at ongoing persecution targeting Hindus, including members of ISKCON in Bangladesh. If the process of getting a bill passed in the US Congress takes longer period, Trump may issue an executive order imposing sanctions on Yunus and some of the key figures in the administration.

The same source further said, bill seeking sanctions on Hefazat-e-Islam may be introduced in the US Congress on a urgent basis, immediately after the newly elected Congress goes into session.

Meanwhile, it is reported in a Bangladeshi vernacular daily stating, the Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed the cancellation of passports for 22 military personnel and two police officers.  The letter cited their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances as the basis for this directive.

However, this raises serious questions about the process behind the decision. Who compiled this list, and were consultations held with relevant experts? Most of the listed military personnel are current or former members of DGFI, an organization alleged to have returned many disappeared individuals to their families. Strangely, no names from CTTC or Detective Branch (DB) units of Bangladesh Police often implicated in such cases -appear on the list. Only seven officers of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) are included, four of whom also worked with DGFI. The absence of a thorough and consistent investigation into these allegations undermines the credibility of this list.

Further anomalies include the omission of high-profile figures like Monirul Islam, a former SB head implicated in enforced disappearances, and Harun, a former DB chief. Over 30 officers from CTTC and DB, reportedly directly involved in such cases, are also missing from the list, as are any NSI officials, including the former NSI DG TM Zobair. Notably, the Armed Forces Division recently identified at least 47 military personnel linked to abductions and extrajudicial killings, yet their names are absent. This selective approach is baffling. Revoking passports to prevent suspects from fleeing sets a precarious precedent. It appears hasty and poorly thought out, especially for individuals already abroad. This letter reflects a deep administrative failure.

Public figures like Yunus rely heavily on carefully crafted narratives to sustain their global reputation. A claim as significant as addressing a G20 Social Summit carries immense symbolic weight, signaling that the individual remains a relevant and influential figure on the world stage. However, when such a claim is debunked, the backlash can be severe, tarnishing credibility and trust.

The Yunus office framed the initial tweet as an “error” and issued a public apology. Yet, the timing and nature of the claim warrant skepticism. Crafting an official communication, particularly one as significant as participation in a G20 summit, requires deliberate planning and multiple levels of verification. For such an “error” to slip through suggests either gross incompetence or a calculated effort to mislead.

Abraham Lincoln’s oft-quoted observation about the limits of deception comes to mind: “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” This incident exemplifies an apparent attempt to leverage Yunus’ name and stature for an exaggerated claim, seemingly aimed at bolstering his profile.

If the tweet had not been challenged by Weekly Blitz, it is likely the false claim would have remained uncorrected. The apology only came after the office was caught in an indisputable falsehood. This sequence of events points to a deliberate act rather than an innocent mistake.

The deleted tweet adds another chapter to this growing narrative of questionable practices. In the modern information age, where the permanence of digital records ensures every action is scrutinized, missteps can quickly escalate into crises. Public figures and their teams must recognize that transparency and honesty are no longer optional; they are prerequisites for maintaining trust.

Weekly Blitz played a crucial role in this incident, providing a check against potentially unchecked propaganda. In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, investigative journalism remains a vital safeguard against deceit. The ability to challenge false narratives with evidence is a cornerstone of democratic accountability.

This case also highlights the broader implications of social media as a platform for public figures. While platforms like Twitter offer unprecedented reach, they also amplify the risks of missteps. A single tweet, whether true or false, can reach millions within seconds, underscoring the importance of precision and accuracy.

The controversy surrounding the false tweet serves as a reminder that public trust is both fragile and invaluable. For Yunus and his team, this episode should prompt serious introspection about their communication practices. The apology, while necessary, is insufficient to restore credibility unless accompanied by concrete steps to ensure transparency moving forward. For the wider public, this incident reinforces the need to approach all claims—even those made by celebrated figures—with critical scrutiny. Trust must be earned and continuously reinforced through consistent honesty and accountability.

The false tweet from the office of Muhammad Yunus claiming he addressed the G20 Social Summit in Rio de Janeiro reveals a troubling disregard for truth in public communication. Whether an intentional act of propaganda or an honest error, the incident underscores the necessity of integrity in maintaining public trust. While an apology has been issued, the damage to Yunus’ credibility may linger, serving as a cautionary tale for other public figures.

Ultimately, as Lincoln aptly noted, deception has its limits. The public’s capacity to discern truth from falsehood remains the ultimate defense against attempts to manipulate perception. In this digital age, accountability is no longer optional; it is a mandate that no figure, regardless of stature, can afford to ignore.

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