• durgesh dubey
• 07 Aug, 2024

Muhammad Yunus

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government after a crucial meeting led by President Mohammed Shahabuddin. This development follows the resignation of Sheikh Hasina amidst a violent uprising in the country. Known as the 'banker of the poor,' the 84-year-old Yunus was the preferred choice of the protesting students for the role of chief adviser.

Yunus, who has had longstanding conflicts with Hasina, faced over 190 charges by the previous government. He was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his transformative work with 'Grameen Bank,' which has lifted millions out of poverty.

Currently, Bangladesh is in a state of turmoil. Sheikh Hasina is in hiding in India, and the bodies of 29 Awami League Party leaders and their family members were discovered across the violence-stricken nation on Tuesday. The total death toll from the unrest has surpassed 400. President Shahabuddin has dissolved the parliament, setting the stage for the interim government and new elections. Yunus, who is currently in Paris for a medical procedure, is expected to return to Dhaka soon.

The decision to appoint Yunus was finalized during a meeting on Tuesday, which included the protesting student leaders and the heads of the three armed forces. Student leaders, whose protests led to Hasina's ouster, met with Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman and President Shahabuddin to discuss the formation of the interim government. The Bangladeshi Army has made significant changes in its leadership, demoting several generals who were seen as close to Hasina and dismissing Ziaul Ahsan, a commander of the Rapid Action Battalion paramilitary force. Additionally, former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, 78, was released from years of house arrest.

Rights groups have reported extensive vandalism of Hindu houses, businesses, and temples since the fall of Hasina's government. Speculation that Hasina sought asylum in London has been denied by her son, Sajeeb Wazed, who stated that she has not requested asylum anywhere and thus, reports of her visa revocation by the US are inaccurate.