Muhammad Yunus pledged to establish a government that ensures the safety of its citizens as he returned to Bangladesh from Paris to lead an interim government.
This came after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina and the dissolution of parliament by President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his work on microlending, arrived in Bangladesh from Paris via Dubai and was welcomed by various officials and civil society members.
Yunus expressed gratitude to the youth who led the protest movement against Hasina, calling the change of regime the country’s “second independence.” He emphasized the need to maintain law and order, control anarchic activities, and protect minority communities from attacks, which he described as part of a conspiracy.
Yunus is set to be sworn in as the chief adviser, equivalent to prime minister, and urged people from all walks of life to work with him towards ensuring safety and rebuilding the country. He emphasized the importance of preventing attacks on anyone and anywhere in the country, placing the responsibility in the hands of the citizens.
He also called for a change in the state structure to remove elements of fear and ensure the safeguarding of the people. Yunus emphasized the role of young people in rebuilding the nation and expressed the interim government’s commitment to overseeing the election and transitioning power to an elected government.
The oath-taking ceremony for the new government is expected to take place in the presence of around 400 dignitaries, with the interim government likely comprising 15 members for the time being. Yunus congratulated the “brave students” who played a significant role in the change of government and appealed for calmness, urging against senseless violence and emphasizing that violence is the enemy.
He called for unity in building the country and highlighted the destructive nature of violence. Yunus’ successful anti-poverty campaign through the Grameen Bank became a model replicated across continents.
He faced difficulties under Hasina’s government, including investigations and legal challenges, with many believing that Hasina was displeased when Yunus expressed intentions to form a political party in 2007.