DHAKA, Bangladesh (Diya TV) — Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government following the resignation of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amidst escalating violence and unrest.
Yunus, an 84-year-old economist renowned for pioneering microcredit and the founder of Grameen Bank, assumed the role of chief adviser on Thursday, tasked with steering the nation through one of its most turbulent periods. The figurehead President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at the presidential palace in Dhaka, marking the start of Yunus’s efforts to restore order and prepare for fresh elections.
The crisis in Bangladesh escalated after weeks of protests led by students against a controversial quota system for government jobs. Critics argued that the system disproportionately favored individuals connected to Hasina’s party, the Awami League. The protests, which began in July, quickly evolved into a broader movement against Hasina’s increasingly autocratic rule, culminating in her resignation on Monday. The protests and subsequent crackdown resulted in over 300 deaths, including students and police officers.
Hasina, who had ruled Bangladesh for 20 of the past 30 years, was forced to seek refuge in neighboring India. The violence and unrest have left Bangladesh’s political future uncertain, with many fearing further instability in a country already grappling with high unemployment, corruption, and complex geopolitical relationships with India, China, and the United States.
In his first address to the nation, Yunus emphasized the need for unity and reconciliation. “Bangladesh is a family. We have to unite it,” Yunus said, flanked by student leaders who played a pivotal role in the protests. He urged an end to partisan violence and called for calm as the interim government begins its work.
Yunus’s cabinet, composed largely of civil society members and including two of the student protest leaders, was sworn in alongside him. Notably absent were any representatives of Hasina’s Awami League party, signaling a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. The military, which has a history of intervening in Bangladesh’s politics, played a role in selecting the interim government, raising concerns about the potential for future military influence.
International reactions to Yunus’s appointment have been cautiously optimistic. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes, emphasizing the importance of protecting minority communities, including Hindus, who have faced violence during the recent unrest. The United States also welcomed the new interim government, expressing hope that it would advance democracy and stability in Bangladesh. “We stand ready to work with the interim government and Dr. Yunus as it charts a democratic future for the people of Bangladesh,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller .
Yunus’s rise to power marks a dramatic turn in Bangladesh’s political saga, as the country navigates the aftermath of Hasina’s departure. The Nobel laureate has long been a critic of Hasina, who once labeled him a “bloodsucker” for his microcredit practices. Despite their differences, Yunus now faces the formidable challenge of restoring peace and guiding Bangladesh towards a stable and democratic future.
