Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus sworn-in as Chief Advisor to Bangladesh’s interim govt
New Delhi, Aug 08: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was officially sworn in as the chief advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday evening.
The ceremony, held at the Darbar Hall of the President’s House, saw Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin administer the oath of office to Yunus. The 84-year-old economist arrived under the protection of the Special Security Force (SSF) at around 8:40 p.m. as the interim government prepared for its official inauguration later that evening.
The event was attended by prominent leaders of the political party Bangladesh National Party (BNP), including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Mosharraf Hossain, Amir Khosru, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, and others.
Notably absent from the ceremony were any representatives from the Awami League. Diplomatic representatives from several countries were also present.
During the ceremony, a minute of silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives in recent protests. Yunus had arrived in Bangladesh from Paris earlier in the day, declaring, “There is a lot of work to be done.” He expressed optimism, saying, “People are excited,” and emphasized the importance of ensuring that the benefits of freedom reach every household in Bangladesh.
Yunus’ appointment as chief advisor follows a critical meeting between President Shahabuddin, military leaders, and student representatives. The students, who had opposed a military-led government, had pushed for Yunus to lead the nation during this transitional period.
Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, prominent organizers of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, have been appointed to the 16-member advisory council of Bangladesh’s interim government. They are joined by other notable figures, including Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Chief Executive of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA); women’s rights activist Farida Akhtar; Adilur Rahman Khan, founder of the human rights organization Odhikar; and AFM Khalid Hossain, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam and adviser to Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
Also included in the advisory council are Nurjahan Begum, trustee of Grameen Telecom; freedom fighter Sharmeen Murshid; Bir Pratik Faruk-e-Azam; Dhaka University law professor Asif Nazrul; former Bangladesh Bank governor Salehuddin Ahmed; former attorney general Hasan Arif, who served as an adviser in the Fakhruddin Ahmed-led caretaker government; Brigadier General (retired) M Sakhawat Hossain; Supradip Chakma, chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB); and Prof. Bidhan Ranjan Roy, director of the National Institute of Mental Health & Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry.
Touhid Hossain, former foreign secretary, also joins the advisory council, which is tasked with guiding the interim government during this critical period of transition in Bangladesh.
Supradip Chakma, Bidhan Ranjan Roy, and Faruk-e-Azam are outside the capital, so they could not be sworn in today.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Yunus urged calm and called for an end to the violence that had resulted in at least 455 deaths in recent weeks. “Be calm and get ready to build the country,” he said, hinting at his plans to hold elections “within a few months.”
Yunus’ return comes three days after the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Washington has expressed support for the interim government under Yunus’ leadership, with State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles, the rule of law, and the will of the Bangladeshi people.
Comparing the moment to a “second independence” for Bangladesh, Yunus called for the restoration of law and order and an end to the recent turmoil that has gripped the nation. Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, have left Bangladesh for India, with reports suggesting they may seek asylum in a European country. Speculation also surrounds the visa status of Hasina, with reports indicating that her US visa may have been revoked, though US officials have declined to comment on the matter.
Major General Ziaul Ahsan Detained at Dhaka Airport
Major General Ziaul Ahsan was detained late Tuesday night, just hours after being relieved of his post in the army. The arrest took place around midnight when the Emirates Flight 585 he was on was ordered to return from the runway to the boarding bridge at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
Members of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) escorted Ahsan back to Dhaka Cantonment following his removal from the plane. The sudden detention has raised eyebrows given the timing and method of the arrest.
Ziaul Ahsan had been serving as the Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre since 2022 until his recent dismissal. His career in the military includes a controversial tenure as the vice-captain of Rab-2 in 2009 when he was a major. That same year, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and appointed director of the intelligence wing at the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) headquarters, a position that became the center of several controversies.
16 Injured as Prison Guards Fire Rubber Bullets to Quell Revolt at Gazipur District Jail
At least 16 people were injured on Thursday when prison guards fired rubber bullets to suppress a revolt by inmates at Gazipur District Jail of Bangladesh. The inmates, primarily those charged with drug and murder offenses, began protesting to demand their release.
As the protest escalated, guards resorted to firing rubber bullets in an attempt to regain control. While the situation has since stabilized, authorities have not yet released the identities of those injured.
Gazipur District Jail, situated near the Joydevpur-Dhaka road, has become the latest site of unrest, with reports of similar prisoner protests emerging from jails across the country in recent days.
According to officials, the unrest in Gazipur was sparked when prisoners, observing the release of opposition politicians and student protesters on bail, launched their own demonstrations demanding freedom.
To prevent any attempts to escape, prison guards fired rubber bullets, resulting in injuries to 13 inmates and 3 guards. The situation was eventually brought under control by the intervention of army personnel.
India Prioritises the Welfare of Bangladesh’s Citizens, Says MEA
In a recent briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed concerns regarding Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s plans, following her unexpected departure from Bangladesh amid escalating protests against her leadership. The MEA spokesperson, when asked about her next steps and when she might leave India, stated, “We do not have any update on her plan at this time.”
The ministry emphasized its ongoing vigilance over the developments in Bangladesh, expressing hope for a swift resolution to the crisis. “The situation in that country is still evolving,” the spokesperson noted, adding that India remains deeply concerned about the well-being of the Bangladeshi people.
Addressing the reported swearing-in of an interim government later in the day, the spokesperson reiterated India’s commitment to prioritizing the interests of Bangladesh’s citizens. “For the government and the people of India, the interest of the people of Bangladesh is foremost in our minds,” he stated.
The MEA also touched on reports of violence against minority communities in Bangladesh, assuring that New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation. “We are also monitoring the status of the minorities,” the spokesperson said, highlighting efforts by various groups to protect these communities. He stressed that it is the responsibility of any government to ensure the safety and well-being of all its citizens. He expressed hope for a quick restoration of law and order in Bangladesh, emphasizing that this stability is crucial for the country and the region as a whole.
The spokesperson, Jaiswal, added that the approval for Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India was granted on short notice, indicating the situation’s urgency.
