Festival of rumours, says Muhammad Yunus amid Bangladesh coup buzz

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said Bangladesh was witnessing a "festival of rumours" against his administration, blaming it on "the defeated force" -- an apparent reference to deposed premier Sheikh Hasina's regime.

"The rumours are big instruments of the defeated forces against the July-August (2024) Uprising," he said in a nationwide televised address on the eve of Bangladesh's 53rd Independence Day on March 26 when the country in 1971 declared independence from the then Pakistan followed by a nine-month Liberation War.

Unlike in past years, there would be no National Day military parade in the capital. District-level parades will take place as usual. Home Ministry Senior Secretary Nasimul Ghani recently said that the country is in a wartime mode.