Bangladesh’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Muhammad Yunus Appointed PM of Caretaker Govt. This appointment comes three days after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and subsequent escape from the country amid violent protests.
In his swearing-in ceremony, Muhammad Yunus pledged to “uphold, support, and protect the constitution,” committing to carry out his duties with sincerity. His cabinet, composed of advisers rather than ministers, includes prominent figures such as Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud from the Students Against Discrimination group, who played significant roles in the protests.
The new administration features a diverse range of members, including a former foreign secretary, an environmental lawyer, and rights activist Adilur Rahman Khan, who had previously been imprisoned during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.
Muhammad Yunus, 84, who returned from Paris where he had been receiving medical treatment, expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s future. At Dhaka airport, Muhammad Yunus, greeted by military leaders and student representatives, emphasized the significance of the moment, declaring, “Today is a glorious day for us,” and referring to it as “Bangladesh’s second independence.”
He called for the restoration of order following weeks of violence that resulted in over 455 deaths. Yunus urged citizens to protect one another and work towards stabilizing the law and order situation, stating, “Every person is our brother … our task is to protect them.”
The student-led protests that led to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster initially began over job quota issues but escalated due to harsh economic conditions and political repression. The military’s shift in allegiance was pivotal in Sheikh Hasina’s removal, and Muhammad Yunus’s appointment was a direct result of student demands.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to Muhammad Yunus, reaffirming India’s commitment to collaborating with Bangladesh for peace and development.
Under Muhammad Yunus’s leadership, the interim government will oversee preparations for fresh elections in the South Asian nation of 170 million people. Despite the ongoing unrest, there is hope for a new, inclusive political landscape.
As Bangladesh navigates this transition, the international community watches closely, with expectations for a peaceful resolution and democratic process.
