Signalling the start of a brand new chapter after 15 years of Sheikh Hasina because the prime minister, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus took oath as the pinnacle of the interim authorities in Bangladesh on Thursday.
“I’ll uphold, assist and shield the structure and can carry out my duties sincerely,” Mr Yunus stated on the swearing-in occasion, which comes at a tumultuous time for Bangladesh. The nation has witnessed violence and clashes even after the student-led protests compelled Ms Hasina to resign and flee the nation on Monday.
Mr Yunus, 84, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for pioneering microcredit and microfinance, which he put into motion by means of the Grameen Financial institution. He was sworn in hours after he returned to Dhaka from Paris, the place he had been present process medical therapy. The oath was administered by Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin at his official residence, ‘Bangabhaban’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi prolonged his finest needs to Mr Yunus and stated India is hoping for an early return to normalcy in Bangladesh, which might additionally guarantee the security of Hindus and different minorities.
My finest needs to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the idea of his new tasks. We hope for an early return to normalcy, making certain the security and safety of Hindus and all different minority communities. India stays dedicated to working with Bangladesh to meet the…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2024
“My finest needs to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the idea of his new tasks. We hope for an early return to normalcy, making certain the security and safety of Hindus and all different minority communities. India stays dedicated to working with Bangladesh to meet the shared aspirations of each our peoples for peace, safety and improvement,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Advisory Council
Mr Yunus has been sworn in because the chief adviser within the interim authorities, a place akin to that of prime minister, and a 16-member council of advisers might be aiding him. The advisers embrace Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, two key leaders of the protests that led to Ms Hasina’s ouster.
Among the many different members of the council are Adilur Rahman Khan, a distinguished rights activist who was sentenced to a two-year jail time period below Ms Hasina; girls’s rights activist Farida Akhtar; Grameen Telecom trustee Nurjahan Begum; former international secretary Touhid Hossain; and AFM Khalid Hossain, deputy chief of right-wing social gathering Hefazat-e-Islam.
Talking earlier than the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Yunus stated, “At this time is an excellent day for us… Bangladesh has created a brand new victory day. Bangladesh has bought a second independence.”
Urging a return to normalcy, he added, “We can’t take a step ahead until we repair the legislation and order scenario. My name to the folks is that in case you have belief in me, be certain that there might be no assaults in opposition to anybody, anyplace within the nation… We’re one huge household.”
Violent Protests
Hassle had been brewing in Bangladesh since earlier than the January 7 elections, which was received by Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League in a landslide, however the electoral train was extensively seen as being removed from free and honest.
A contemporary wave of protests led by college students started in June – wherein over 450 folks have been killed up to now – after a Bangladeshi excessive court docket reinstated 30 per cent reservation in authorities jobs for members of the family of freedom fighters and veterans from Bangladesh’s 1971 Battle of Independence. The quota was later scaled again by the nation’s Supreme Courtroom however Ms Hasina’s dealing with of the protests and her alleged use of an offensive label for the protesters infuriated college students.
Protests continued with college students demanding that Ms Hasina step down and clashes between agitators and the police left over 100 useless and dozens injured throughout the nation on Sunday.
Monday noticed lakhs of scholars flooding the streets and heading in the direction of the prime minister’s official residence, Ganabhaban, forcing Ms Hasina to resign and flee to India. Violence continued in some locations even after Ms Hasina resigned and there have been experiences of minorities, together with Hindus, being focused.
(With company inputs)