Student Protests Lead to Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster; Muhammad Yunus to Lead Interim Government

According to the news from Bangladesh, the Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus will lead the interim government by supporting the military. This decision comes after student leaders’ protests led to the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, who met with Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman and President Mohammed Shahabuddin late last evening.

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Seeks UK Asylum, Temporarily Stays in India

Know more about the crisis in Bangladesh:

After an important meeting between student leaders, the Army Chief, and the President, it was decided that Muhammad Yunus will head the interim government in Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi Army has undergone a leadership reshuffle and demoted officers who were close to Sheikh Hasina, and they also removed Ziaul Ahsan, commander of the Rapid Action Battalion. Meanwhile former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was released from house arrest. Human rights organizations report widespread vandalism of Hindu properties and places of worship since the fall of Hasina’s government.

Sheikh Hasina is 76 years old, and she has resigned as Prime Minister of the country amid protests over job quotas that resulted in over 400 deaths. Reports highlight that she fled Dhaka after receiving a 45-minute ultimatum from the military. Hasina arrived at Hindon Airbase near Delhi on a Bangladeshi military aircraft and is expected to remain in India for the next few days. Speculation about Hasina seeking asylum in London has been dismissed by her son, Sajeeb Wazed, who clarified that no such request has been made.

Protests in Bangladesh: Death Toll Climbs, Curfew Imposed Nationwide

India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said that the Indian government is allowing Hasina time to recover and decide her next steps, having approved her entry into India on short notice.

Jaishankar briefed Indian political leaders on the situation in Bangladesh and the measures being taken to manage the potential security, economic, and diplomatic impacts. The Indian government is in communication with the Bangladeshi Army to ensure the safety of Indian nationals and minorities in the wake of the violence. The protests, which began in June over civil service job quotas, escalated into widespread unrest, leading to one of the most significant challenges to Hasina’s 15-year rule and culminating in her resignation.