Muhammad Yunus Sworn in as Bangladesh’s Interim Leader Following Student-Led Uproar

 Muhammad Yunus Sworn in as Bangladesh’s Interim Leader Following Student-Led Uproar


In a dramatic turn of events, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government. The 84-year-old economist and social entrepreneur assumed the role of Chief Advisor, a position akin to that of a prime minister, following intense student-led protests that led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina after a 15-year rule.


Yunus, who is renowned for his pioneering work in microfinance, took his oath on Thursday at the presidential palace in Dhaka. He vowed to “uphold, support, and protect the constitution” in a ceremony attended by key political figures, military leaders, and diplomats.


The interim government, led by Yunus, includes a 16-member advisory council. Notable members of this council are retired Brigadier General M Sakhawat Hossain, women’s rights advocate Farida Akhtar, AFM Khalid Hossain from the right-wing Hefazat-e-Islam party, and Nurjahan Begum, a trustee of Grameen Telecom. Other prominent figures include freedom fighter Sharmeen Murshid, Supradip Chakma of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board, and Professor Bidhan Ranjan Roy. The council also features former foreign secretary Touhid Hossain and notable members from the Students Against Discrimination group, who played a key role in the recent protests.


The upheaval that led to this transition began with widespread student protests against Sheikh Hasina's government. The situation intensified following the January 7 elections, which, despite a landslide victory for Hasina’s Awami League, were widely criticized for being neither free nor fair.


Protests, which started in June, were sparked by a high court decision to reinstate a 30% job reservation for the relatives of Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence veterans. Although the Supreme Court later reduced this quota, the government’s handling of the protests—coupled with Hasina's derogatory remarks about the demonstrators—fueled further unrest.


The clashes between protesters and police were severe, with over 450 fatalities reported. The situation reached a tipping point on Sunday when violence led to more than 100 deaths and numerous injuries. The following day, massive student-led demonstrations culminated in a direct assault on the Prime Minister’s residence, forcing Sheikh Hasina to resign and seek refuge in India.


As Bangladesh moves forward under Yunus's interim administration, the country is bracing for a period of transition aimed at restoring stability and overseeing the upcoming elections.

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