Muhith cites 'Amartya' quotes Says govt's gains not projected due to Yunus

[Avisheik]

Muhith denies he quoted Amartya



Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Saturday took a U-turn denying that he had quoted Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen as saying that Bangladesh's achievements are not highlighted on the world stage because of Prof Muhammad Yunus. (Inside:Audio of Muhith quoting Amartya Sen about Prof Yunus)

"Amartya Sen did not make any such comment about Prof Yunus. It was my comment," he told reporters at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka.

When asked whether he made any comment involving the highly acclaimed Indian economist and the Grameen Bank founder, the minister said: "I did not make such comments."

But The Daily Star has the recorded proof that finance minister on Thursday told reporters: "Prof Sen told me that so many good things are happening in this country but they are not projected anywhere in the world only because of Prof Yunus."


On Saturday, Muhith also said: "I had told [reporters] that Amartya said that the country is doing so well but it is not being highlighted by the press. He is sad about this."

"I am very sorry that Amartya has been linked with it. How can Amartya speak against Yunus? Is it possible?"

"Yunus is a respected person and my friend," Muhith said.

The comments from Muhith surprised Amartya, who is now teaching economics at Harvard University in the USA.

In a written reply to a query from The Daily Star on Thursday, Amartya said: “I am particularly surprised -- indeed astonished -- to see him (Muhith) attributing my view that is not mine."

"Indeed, the alleged utterance is not close to anything I told Muhith when we met briefly at the VIP lounge in the Bangkok Airport last month,” the statement added.

The Nobel laureate economist added that he was not at all accusing Yunus of preventing the recognition and praise that Bangladesh deserves.

Sen also hoped that Muhith would withdraw his wrong attribution to him about Yunus.

I seriously lol'ed after reading this. He could replace Mr Bean as the funniest comedian.