Thirty-four noted citizens today issued a statement protesting the attempts to seize the institutions founded by Nobel Laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus.

They also urged the government and all concerned authorities to stop all "harassment" against Dr Yunus.

"We have noticed recent news reports regarding attempts to seize several institutions established by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. These attempts include trespassing and forced entry into institutions such as Grameen Kalyan and Grameen Telecom, both located within the Grameen Telecom building. Furthermore, a political rally was held in front of the building, constituting an unauthorised intrusion," the statement said.

In line with the recent events, AKM Saiful Majid, the current chairman of Grameen Bank, called a press briefing and claimed that chairmanship of these institutions have been changed, the statement said.

The statement claimed that AKM Saiful Majid, in his own letter, revealed his nomination for the chairman position of three organisations instead of Dr Yunus.

The statement said these non-profit organizations established by Dr Yunus are working to improve the fate of marginalised people. According to the revised article of association, Grameen Bank does not have the authority to change the post of chairman of these institutions.

The statement said, in case of any dispute, Grameen Bank could have taken the matter to the court. Instead, the process by which efforts are being made to capture the institutions are illegal, immoral and distasteful, said the statement.

"We condemn the one-sided, reckless and defamatory allegations made by Grameen Bank Chairman Majid about Dr Yunus at the press conference," the statement added.

According to the statement, Dr Yunus has been harassed by various government institutions in the name of summoning, investigation and interrogation. He is facing criminal charges related to civil matters concerning labor laws, and there is an attempt to expedite their resolution at an unusually rapid pace. Besides, various campaigns are continuing against him from different levels of the government.

"We think that there is no scope to look at the recent attempts to seize institutions separately from these events," it added.

Dr Yunus has is respected person in the world for his work to improve the condition of the poorest and neglected people and has brought rare honour to Bangladesh.

The recent activities against him are sending a negative message to the world, the statement reads.

The signatory of the statement include human rights activist Hamida Hossain, former caretaker government adviser Hafiz Uddin Khan, former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder, Sujan's chief Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Dr Shahdeen Malik, Sara Hossain, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Professor Ali Riaz, Professor Swapan Adnan, Professor Firdous Azim, photographer Shahidul Alam, Dhaka University professor CR Abrar, Professor Asif Nazrul and Professor Shahnaz Huda among others.