Bangladesh is on the cusp of a significant political shift as the army chief prepares to meet student protest leaders on Tuesday. This meeting comes a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following a violent uprising against her administration.
The student-led protests initially began as a movement against job quotas, which gradually evolved into a broader call for Hasina’s resignation. The protests intensified over the past few weeks, leading to widespread unrest and culminating in the Prime Minister’s departure.
Calls for a New Interim Government
Early on Tuesday, student leaders declared their demand for a new interim government, suggesting Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus as its chief adviser. Nahid Islam, a prominent organizer of the student movement, expressed these demands in a video posted on Facebook alongside three other organizers.
“Any government other than the one we recommended would not be accepted,” stated Islam. “We wouldn’t accept any army-supported or army-led government.”
Islam also mentioned that they had discussed the matter with Yunus, and he had agreed to take on the responsibility if invited.
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Scheduled Meeting with Army Chief
Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman is scheduled to meet the protest organizers at 12 pm local time (0600 GMT) on Tuesday. This meeting follows Zaman’s televised announcement of Hasina’s resignation and the formation of an interim government.
The army’s involvement in the political transition has raised concerns among the student leaders, who fear the establishment of an army-led administration. They insist on a civilian interim government led by Yunus to ensure fair and democratic governance.
Who is Muhammad Yunus?
Muhammad Yunus, 84, is renowned for his work with Grameen Bank, which earned him the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to alleviate poverty through microloans to the rural poor in Bangladesh. However, Yunus faces legal challenges, including a recent indictment on embezzlement charges, which he denies.
Yunus has not yet commented on the latest developments or his potential role in the interim government.
Read More: Army Establishes Interim Govt, Sheikh Hasina Flees Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Departure
Following her resignation, Sheikh Hasina, 76, left Dhaka and landed at a military airfield near Delhi on Monday. According to two Indian government officials, she was met by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The officials did not provide further details about her stay or future plans.
The resignation of Sheikh Hasina has led to significant changes in Dhaka. Images captured by Reuters show people swimming in the lake inside Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister’s residence, symbolizing the dramatic shift in the country’s political landscape.
The country remains tense as the population awaits the outcome of the meeting between the army chief and the student leaders. The formation of a new government and the potential leadership of Muhammad Yunus could pave the way for a new era in Bangladesh’s political history.
Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture as its citizens and leaders navigate the aftermath of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. The student protest leaders’ call for a civilian interim government led by Muhammad Yunus highlights the demand for democratic governance and social justice. The meeting between the army chief and the protest organizers will be a decisive moment in determining the country’s future political trajectory.
