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Muhammad Yunus said there was a critical need to restore law and order in Bangladesh, warning of potential spillover effects into neighbouring countries, including India. (Image: AP File)
Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus will lead Bangladesh’s interim government, taking the oath on Thursday. He urges calm after mass protests led to Hasina’s resignation
Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh will take oath on Thursday, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, General Waker said the interim government is likely to be sworn in at 8:00 pm on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Bangladesh’s Nobel-winning microfinance pioneer was appointed as the head of interim government by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following deadly protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs.
‘I fervently appeal’
Yunus has called for calm in the country after mass protests forced longtime prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee. His appointment came quickly after student leaders called on the 84-year-old — credited with lifting millions out of poverty — to lead the country.
“Let us make the best use of our new victory. Let us not let this slip away because of our mistakes. I fervently appeal to everybody to stay calm. Please refrain from all kinds of violence,” Yunus said in a statement released on Wednesday, according to bdnews24.
“I appeal to all students, members of all political parties and non-political people to stay calm. This is our beautiful country with lots of exciting possibilities. We must protect and make it a wonderful country for us and for our future generations,” he added.
Yunus urged everyone to work together and build Bangladesh instead of resorting to violence. “Our youth is ready to give this leadership in creating a new world. Let us not miss the chance by going into any senseless violence. Violence is our enemy. Please don’t create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country.”
Hasina, 76, resigned on Monday as hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets of Dhaka demanding she stand down. Monday’s events were the culmination of more than a month of unrest, which began as protests against a plan for quotas in government jobs but morphed into an anti-Hasina movement.
Hundreds of people were killed in the crackdown, but the military turned against Hasina on the weekend and she was forced to flee in a helicopter to neighbouring India. The president dissolved parliament on Tuesday, another demand of the student leaders and the major opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP).
(With agency inputs)
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