Muhammad Yunus Sworn In as Head of Bangladesh Interim Government

Sheikh Hasina resigned as the Prime Minister on Monday following sustained protests across the country.

Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of the interim government in Bangladesh on Thursday, marking the start of a new chapter after Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year tenure as Prime Minister. At the swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Yunus, 84, pledged to uphold and protect the constitution, emphasizing his commitment to perform his duties sincerely. His oath comes at a challenging time for the country, which continues to experience violence and clashes even after student-led protests led to Ms. Hasina’s resignation and subsequent flight from the country on Monday.

Mr. Yunus, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his pioneering work in microcredit and microfinance through Grameen Bank, took the oath at the official residence of Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, ‘Bangabhaban.’ He had just returned to Dhaka from Paris, where he had been undergoing medical treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to Mr Yunus and said India is hoping for an early return to normalcy in Bangladesh, which would also ensure the safety of Hindus and other minorities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus upon assuming his new responsibilities as the chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government. In a post on X, PM Modi expressed hope for a swift return to normalcy in Bangladesh, with a particular emphasis on the safety and protection of Hindus and other minority communities. He reiterated India’s commitment to collaborating with Bangladesh to achieve mutual goals of peace, security, and development.

Muhammad Yunus, who now holds a position equivalent to that of a prime minister, will be supported by a 16-member advisory council. This council includes key figures such as Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, leaders who played pivotal roles in the protests that led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Other notable members of the council include Adilur Rahman Khan, a well-known rights activist who was previously sentenced to a two-year prison term under Hasina’s government; Farida Akhtar, a women’s rights activist; Nurjahan Begum, a trustee of Grameen Telecom; former foreign secretary Touhid Hossain; and AFM Khalid Hossain, deputy chief of the right-wing party Hefazat-e-Islam.

This diverse group of advisers reflects the interim government’s intent to address the broad spectrum of issues and challenges facing Bangladesh as the country navigates this transitional period.

Before the swearing-in ceremony, Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation, describing the day as “glorious” and declaring it a “new victory day” for Bangladesh, symbolizing what he termed as “second independence.” He emphasized the importance of restoring law and order, urging the people to trust him and ensure that no attacks occur anywhere in the country. “We are one big family,” he said, calling for unity and peace.

The backdrop to this momentous day was a period of intense turmoil in Bangladesh, which began even before the controversial January 7 elections. Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League claimed a landslide victory in those elections, but the process was widely criticized as being neither free nor fair.

The situation escalated in June when student-led protests erupted following a high court ruling that reinstated a 30% reservation in government jobs for families of freedom fighters and veterans of Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence. Although the Supreme Court later scaled back the quota, Sheikh Hasina’s response to the protests, including her alleged derogatory remarks, further enraged the student population.

The protests intensified, leading to violent clashes between demonstrators and police forces. Over 100 people were killed and many others injured on Sunday alone, and the unrest culminated in a massive march towards Sheikh Hasina’s official residence on Monday, forcing her to resign and flee to India. Despite her resignation, violence persisted in some areas, with reports emerging of minorities, including Hindus, being targeted during the chaos.