Following a significant uprising led mainly by student protesters, Muhammed Yunus, a Noble prize recipient, has been appointed to lead the temporary government in Bangladesh. This development occurred after the country’s prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, resigned and left the country. The public announcement was conveyed by President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s press secretary, Joynal Abedin.
In his statement, Mr Abedin added that the decision on the other cabinet members in the Yunus-led government would be determined following consults with relevant political groups and other significant parties. On Tuesday, a five-hour meeting held by the student protest leaders, the military and civil society leaders, along with some business heads, affirmed the decision for the temporary administration’s leadership.
Muhammad Yunus, upon accepting this proposal, is expected to shortly return from Paris, according to local news outlets.
Burdened by mounting protests against a disliked job quota regulation, Ms Hasina was rapidly dethroned on Monday after serving the country for two periods, combining a total of twenty years. As the citizen dissent accelerated into a youth-dominated movement, Ms Hasina was forced to step down.
The on-the-ground disturbances were severe in Dhaka, the capital, where demonstrators took over the streets, culminating in the loss of at least 135 lives on Monday.
In preparation for forming a new government, Waker-Uz-Zaman, the army chief, anticipates having discussions with Mr Shahabuddin and representatives from political parties.
President Shahabuddin has commanded the release of the imprisoned ex-prime minister, Khaleda Zia, as well as detained student protesters. In a video message issued early on Tuesday, Nahid Islam, an organiser of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, summarised the developments. He confirmed the formation of a transitional government led by internationally esteemed Muhammad Yunus.
Dr Muhammad Yunus, 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of the revolutionary microlending institution, Grameen Bank, has agreed to answer the students’ call to safeguard Bangladesh. An individual from his office has corroborated this response. As one of the most influential individuals in the South Asian nation, Dr Yunus has encountered a series of legal challenges – regarded by his backers as being politically driven by Ms Hasina who viewed him as a competition.
Subsequent to a heated election, Ms Hasina, who recently initiated her fifth term of leadership, has shown increasing signs of autocracy. It was reported that she arrived in Delhi earlier this week following unexpected permission requested from the Indian Government, as revealed by S Jaishankar, India’s external affairs minister. Rumours swirling suggest that Ms Hasina could be seeking refuge in the UK, which is home to her niece Tulip Siddiq, an MP for the reigning Labour Party and current economic secretary to the treasury.
However, British officials have downplayed Ms Hasina being welcomed, citing a lack of provision in immigration laws to permit asylum or temporary refuge for anyone – inclusive of a beleaguered prime minister. Authorities stated, under the condition of anonymity, that the UK policy encourages anyone in need of international protection to seek asylum in the nearest safe nation for swift safety.
On Monday, as reports of her departure proliferated, her previous abode, amongst other properties, was plundered and assaulted by protesters. Video clips depict scenes reminiscent of the Sri Lankan 2022 revolt that ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ms Hasina’s father and national freedom idol, were also targeted. The object of a personality campaign led by herself and the Awami League party, Rahman’s legacy represents a contentious symbol.
The demonstration movement was initiated due to a reservation system in place for sought-after civil service positions. This system favoured certain groups, among them offspring of veterans who partook in the nation’s 1971 civil war, resulting in a division from Pakistan. In the lead-up to Ms Hasina’s stepping down, approximately 300 individuals were fatally injured during a suppression of the protests. This information comes courtesy of The Financial Times Limited 2024, with further reporting by AP.