Student Protesters Call for Professor Yunus to Lead Interim Government

Daily Bijoy News Correspondent:

On Tuesday, student protesters in Bangladesh announced their intention to advocate for Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to head an interim government. This move comes in the wake of the prime minister's removal and the military's assumption of control the previous day. "We have decided that the interim government should be led by internationally renowned Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who is widely accepted and respected," said Nahid Islam, a leading figure of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), in a video message.

On Monday, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman confirmed on state television that Sheikh Hasina had resigned as prime minister and that the military would establish a caretaker government. General Waker is scheduled to meet with student leaders later on Tuesday. At 84, Yunus is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in microfinance, which has helped lift millions out of poverty. However, he fell out of favor with Hasina, who accused him of exploiting the poor.

Hasina, who had been in power since 2009, faced accusations of election rigging in January and saw widespread protests over the past month demanding her resignation. "In Dr. Yunus, we trust," wrote Asif Mahmud, a prominent SAD leader, on Facebook. Currently in Europe, Yunus has not yet received any formal offer from the military to lead the interim government, according to a close aide.

Daily Bijoy News/ E