In a dramatic shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape, Nobel laureate and interim leader Muhammad Yunus has characterized the nation’s recent upheaval as a “student-led revolution.” This came after the abrupt removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. Yunus, addressing the press, asserted that the government’s collapse was directly attributable to the student protests that demanded Hasina’s ouster.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus
Yunus emphasized the unprecedented nature of the movement, stating, “This is a revolution, a student-led revolution and there is no doubt that the entire government collapsed as a result.” He further elaborated that the student leaders behind the protests had urged him to return from Europe to guide the country through democratic reforms. “I respect you, I admire you. What you have done is absolutely unparalleled… Because you ordered me to do this, I take your order,” Yunus added.
The sudden departure of Hasina to India led to a series of resignations among her high-ranking allies, including the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Governor of the Central Bank. These resignations followed ultimatums from the protesting students, who demanded the removal of these officials. Yunus assured that these resignations were executed in accordance with legal procedures. “I am sure they will find the legal way to justify all of this, because legally… all the steps were followed,” he said.
Yunus made these statements during an off-the-record briefing on Sunday night at a state building temporarily serving as the seat of government. His office authorized the publication of these remarks on Monday evening.
Sworn in on August 9, Yunus took over leadership from Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, which was ousted following mass student protests against the reinstatement of a controversial quota system for government jobs. The high court’s reinstatement of the quota system, which includes a 30% reservation for families of 1971 war veterans, was overturned by a 2018 decision from Hasina’s government. The Supreme Court has since suspended this order, scheduling a hearing for August 7 to review the government’s appeal.
Yunus, now leading the caretaker administration, is supported by a 16-member advisory council, including key figures like Asif Mahmud and Nahid Islam, prominent organizers of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The interim government faces the critical task of navigating through the democratic reforms demanded by the student-led revolution and stabilizing the country’s political future.
