muhammad yunus, Leaders of the student protests that helped overthrow former premier Sheikh Hasina made the decision during a meeting with military officers.
After widespread unrest and violence led to the departure of longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the country which saw hundreds lose their lives and brought South Asia’s poorest nation on brink of collapse, Nobel prize holder, Muhammad Yunus will be running an interim government for Bangladesh. Joynal Abedin who is President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s press secretary made this announcement early today morning. The gathering was attended by influential business community leaders, civil society members, top military brass and organizers of student protests that contributed to the removal of Hasina.
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muhammad yunus return soon from Paris
Yunus is expected to return soon from Paris where he is an adviser to Olympic organizers and has been a long-time political adversary of Hasina’s.
He is a banker and economist. He won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for introducing microcredit markets. Thousands of people have praised him for his role in assisting them get out of poverty through Grameen Bank, which he established in 1983 to offer low-interest loans to entrepreneurs who would not qualify for conventional bank loans.
According to Abedin further discussions with political parties and other stakeholders will determine how other members are chosen in quick succession following talks between Abedin and different political parties. On Tuesday, the president dissolved parliament paving way for an interim administration as well as fresh elections.
Additionally, Shahabuddin ordered opposition leader Khaleda Zia released from house arrest after being found guilty of corruption last year. For years she has been one of Hasina’s main rivals.
muhammad yunus, Who is the founder of Grameen Bank?
Yunus had accused her resignation during her rule as “the second day” after liberation war but she explained that these were politically motivated transgressions against him . Nahid Islam , one of those leading the protests, said that he had agreed to guide the temporary government even though he couldn’t be reached for immediate comment.
Islam argued that protesters will add new people to the Cabinet making it difficult for those in power not to heed their demands.
Fearing protesters who broke a military-imposed curfew would march on this city, she flew to India. Thousands of demonstrators eventually stormed her residence and other buildings linked with her family and party as well.
On the day Hasina left Bangladesh, Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman, Bangladesh’s army chief told her office that soldiers would not be able to enforce any curfews she requested amid protests against her rule. The announcement by Yunus came on the same day news emerged indicating General Waker-Uz-Zaman, army leader during Hasina’s departure warned his boss troops could not prevent riots because they were already overworked.
Two army officials who are currently serving confirmed this allegation adding that rather than use force against civilians during the lockdown period, Hasina’s army commander met his generals and made an agreement with them. This was reported by two serving army officers with knowledge of discussions between Mr Hasina’s military head and other generals.
muhammad yunus, Hasina resigned as prime minister on Monday.
Hasina resigned as prime minister on Monday after cracking down on rallies which began as student-led protests against preferential job quotas turned into nationwide demonstrations calling for her removal from power while leaving Bangladesh. These demonstrations resulted in at least 300 deaths.
The students claimed that jobs granted by the government under quota system are unfair since families of liberation fighters during 1971 independence war have monopolized these positions. With 91 people killed in national unrest Sunday—worst so far since July waves exploded—the violence escalated further.
However, Zaman failed to explain his sudden abandonment of Hasina and she was not available for comment. Meanwhile, Sajeeb Wazed her son and adviser has not responded to several calls from Reuters seeking comments.
Notably on Tuesday India’s foreign ministry announced that a decision reportedly taken by Hasina after meeting top security officials is the reason why she has resigned. Besides, immediately after this, she requested New Delhi to allow her to visit India while Bangladesh authorities were also asking for clearance for flights. The most recent evidence is that she is still in India.
After arresting hundreds of opposition leaders and workers—she has been in office for 20 out of the last 30 years—Hasina won her fourth term as head of state in January. There are over 170 million people in Bangladesh. Her main adversaries did not participate in the vote.
