Muhammad Yunus to return to Bangladesh after medical procedure in Paris

New Delhi, Aug 06: Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus has accepted the proposal to become the chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, announced key organisers of the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Yunus, currently in Paris for a minor medical procedure, will return to Bangladesh “immediately” after its completion, the organizers confirmed as reported by the local media.

Student leaders have made it clear that they will not accept a military-led government, pushing for Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus to be the chief adviser to any new cabinet.

Some of the leaders have urged Bangladesh’s president, Mohammed Shahabuddin, to dissolve parliament by 15:00 local time today and warned that they would “take tough steps” if their demands are not met.

Nahid Islam, a leading coordinator of the movement, revealed in a social media video early this morning that they had already spoken with Dr. Yunus, who agreed to the position in light of the country’s current state. The announcement was also reported by the Daily Star, a prominent Bangladeshi newspaper.

Flanked by two other coordinators, Nahid stated that widespread violence was being orchestrated and said, “Due to the emergency, they decided to announce the framework for the interim government immediately.

“We have determined that the interim government will be led by internationally renowned Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who has broad acceptability,” Nahid declared. “We urge the president to take steps as soon as possible to form an interim government headed by Dr Yunus.”

He also mentioned that the names of the remaining members of the interim government would be announced today.

Addressing the current state of chaos, Nahid called on the president to take immediate and effective measures to restore law and order. He urged freedom-seeking students to remain on the streets to assist law enforcement and safeguard their uprising until the interim government is established.

“We have sacrificed and bled for this cause. We must fulfil our pledge to build a new Bangladesh,” Nahid emphasized. “No government other than the one proposed by the students will be accepted. We will not tolerate a military-backed government or one led by fascists.”

On Monday, Bangladesh’s army chief pledged that an interim government would be formed soon but provided no details about who might lead it.

Amid the uncertainty, many Bangladeshis are anxious about what happens next. Hasina, 76, is currently in India, but speculation is rife that she may be preparing to go to London.