Bangladesh Protesters Want Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus to Lead Government

In a striking turn of events, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, famously known as the “banker to the poor,” has emerged as the preferred leader of an interim government in Bangladesh. This development follows the resignation and departure of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to key organizers of Bangladesh’s student protests, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus should lead an interim government following the resignation and flight of Sheikh Hasina.

The momentum for this change has been significantly driven by a student movement, originally sparked by protests against quotas in government jobs. Nahid Islam, a 26-year-old sociology student, has been at the forefront of this movement. In a video posted on social media, Islam revealed that Yunus had agreed to head the interim government.

“We want to see the process rolling by the morning,” Islam declared, urging President Mohammed Shahabuddin to expedite the formation of an interim government led by Yunus.

President Shahabuddin announced the dissolution of parliament, with a commitment to hold new elections as soon as feasible. This announcement came after a critical meeting between the protest organizers and the army chief, which underlined the protesters’ staunch opposition to any military-led government.

Islam emphasized the students’ unwavering stance, stating, “No government other than the one proposed by the students will be accepted. As we have said, no military government, or one backed by the military, or a government of fascists, will be accepted.”

At 84, Yunus is viewed as a potential chief adviser to the proposed interim government. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for pioneering microlending, Yunus has been instrumental in lifting millions out of poverty. Despite facing corruption charges under Hasina’s rule, Yunus has consistently maintained that these allegations were politically motivated.

A spokesperson for Yunus confirmed that he had accepted the students’ request and would return to Bangladesh after undergoing a minor medical procedure in Paris.

Following Hasina’s removal, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the army chief, announced his temporary control over the country. He assured the public that an interim government would soon be established and pledged to investigate the deaths of at least 135 people since mid-July, marking one of the deadliest periods since Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971.

President Shahabuddin also announced the immediate release of opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who had been imprisoned on corruption charges since 2018. Zia’s release is seen as a move to appease the opposition and restore some semblance of political balance.

The protests, which began peacefully, initially focused on ending a quota system for government jobs that favored affiliates of Hasina’s Awami League party. Over time, these protests evolved into a broader movement challenging Hasina’s leadership and highlighting the country’s economic struggles.

On a notable day of defiance, protesters breached a military curfew, setting fire to Hasina’s official residence and gathering outside the parliament building with banners demanding justice. The unrest even led to the ransacking of Hasina’s ancestral home, further escalating tensions.

Hasina has reportedly sought refuge in India, where she landed at a military airfield near New Delhi. Indian media reports indicate that she met with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and is now in a safe house, potentially en route to the United Kingdom.

India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed Hasina’s presence in India, expressing deep concern over the situation in Bangladesh and instructing border forces to remain vigilant.

The call for Muhammad Yunus to lead an interim government signifies a critical juncture in Bangladesh’s political landscape. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of widespread protests and the departure of a longstanding leader, the role of Yunus and the formation of a new government remain pivotal in determining the country’s future trajectory. The world watches closely as Bangladesh navigates this period of significant political and social upheaval.