- By Abhishek Sheoran
- Wed, 07 Aug 2024 08:53 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was on Tuesday night appointed as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh’s interim government, which has been backed by the Army. President Mohammad Shahabuddin made the announcement after discussions with the 13 members of the coordinating committee of the student movement. The heads of all three armed forces were also present during these talks.
Prior to this, the President had dissolved the national parliament (Jatiya Sangsad), paving the way for new general elections.
84-year-old Yunus has agreed to take on the responsibility. Student leader Nahid, who spearheaded protests, along with two other coordinators, Asif Mahmood and Abu Bakr Majumdar, stated that it was made clear to the military and all parties that no government other than the one led by Yunus would be acceptable to the students. "We do not want a military government nor a fascist government in the country," they said.
Newly appointed Prime Minister Yunus has welcomed the removal of the Hasina government, stating that it is akin to a second independence for Bangladesh. Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts to alleviate poverty through the Grameen Bank. After Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009, dozens of cases were filed against Yunus.
In one of these cases, Yunus was sentenced to six months in prison for violating labor laws.
In another development, former Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and another former minister, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, were arrested at Dhaka airport while trying to flee the country.
Thousands of youths arrested during the student movement in July and August were granted bail on Tuesday. Around 11,000 students involved in the violence during the anti-reservation movement in July were arrested.
Shops opened in several areas, and vehicles were seen moving, although burnt vehicles and signs of violence were still visible in many places.