Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as Bangladesh’s interim leader, bringing hope for a new era of democracy in the country. The 84-year-old took an oath at the presidential palace in Dhaka, along with members of his new cabinet, promising to uphold the constitution and perform his duties sincerely.
Yunus arrived in the capital just days after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following weeks of student-led protests that left hundreds dead. The decision to appoint Yunus as chief adviser of the interim government came after a meeting between President Mohammed Shahabuddin, military leaders, and student leaders who demanded a civilian-led government.
Among Yunus’s new cabinet members are Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, student leaders who played key roles in the anti-government protests. The hope is that Yunus, known as the “banker for the poor,” will bring back democracy to Bangladesh after years of autocratic rule.
In a statement to the BBC, Yunus expressed his excitement and called for the restoration of law and order in the nation of 170 million people. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his best wishes, emphasizing his government’s commitment to working with Bangladesh for peace, security, and development.
Yunus paid tribute to those who died during the protests, saying they had protected the nation and given it new life after Hasina’s rule turned autocratic. He called on the country’s young people to help rebuild Bangladesh, emphasizing the need to create a new seedbed for the nation’s future.
His ascension as interim leader follows weeks of turmoil sparked by protests seeking to abolish a quota system for civil service jobs. The demonstrations, which began peacefully, escalated into a wider anti-government movement, leading to Hasina’s resignation and Yunus’s appointment as interim leader.
The appointment of Yunus has raised hopes for a brighter future in Bangladesh, with many looking to him to steer the country towards democracy and prosperity.
