News Brief
Bangladesh: Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus To Lead Interim Government; Hindu Houses, Temples Attacked — All About It
Mohammed Yunus (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Bangladesh's Nobel-winning microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of the military-backed interim government following the removal of Sheikh Hasina amid widespread protests.
The announcement came after student leaders, whose protests led to the removal of Sheikh Hasina, met with Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman and President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
The President's office confirmed that the decision to appoint Muhammad Yunus as the chief of the interim government was made during this meeting.
In a series of rapid changes, the Bangladeshi Army has restructured its leadership, demoting generals aligned with Sheikh Hasina and dismissing Ziaul Ahsan, commander of the Rapid Action Battalion.
Additionally, former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was also freed from house arrest.
Following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina's government, rights groups have reported widespread vandalism targeting Hindu homes, businesses, and temples.
Hindu minorities in Bangladesh is mostly viewed as supporters of Sheikh Hasina’s secular Awami League party and are often attacked by rivals in a country where Islam is the state religion.
Hasina was forced to resign as Prime Minister Monday evening after weeks-long protests over a jobs quota that killed over 400 people.
Sheikh Hasina arrived at Hindon airbase near Delhi on Monday aboard a Bangladesh military aircraft. She is expected to remain in India for the next few days.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated on Tuesday that the Indian government is allowing Sheikh Hasina time to recover and decide her next steps.
"At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from the Bangladesh authorities," he said.
Jaishankar also briefed the leaders of all parties about the situation in the violence-hit nation and the steps taken by the Indian government to address the potential security, economic, and diplomatic repercussions of this situation.
He said that the government is in touch with the Bangladeshi Army to ensure the safety of Indian nationals and the minorities in Bangladesh amid violence.
Protests that started in June in Bangladesh against civil service job quotas escalated into severe unrest, marking one of the most turbulent periods in Sheikh Hasina's 15-year tenure, eventually leading to widespread demands for her resignation.
