Editor Thenews24.net 
On August 7, 2024, Nobel laureate and financial innovator Muhammad Yunus arrived at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris. He is heading back to Bangladesh to lead a caretaker government after the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina resigned and fled to India following widespread student-led protests and a violent crackdown.
Interim Government Formation
Yunus, 84, was appointed by the president based on recommendations from student leaders. His role is to head the interim government until new elections are organized. The rest of the temporary administration is expected to be finalized soon. This move follows the army chief’s announcement of Hasina’s resignation on Monday, which came after weeks of violence resulting in approximately 300 deaths and thousands of injuries.
Yunus emphasized the need to restore trust in the government quickly and clarified that he does not seek a permanent political role. He is expected to return to Dhaka on Thursday after undergoing a medical procedure in Paris. Yunus plans to work with various parties to rebuild the nation and prepare for new leadership.
National Reactions
Hasina’s departure led to celebrations across Bangladesh, with people storming her official residence. Her 15-year tenure ended amid significant economic challenges for the country of 170 million. While the situation began to stabilize after Monday’s chaos, new protests erupted in Dhaka when central bank officials forced the resignation of four deputy governors over corruption allegations.
Developments and Reactions
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held a rally in Dhaka celebrating the release of their leader Khaleda Zia from house arrest. India, with close cultural and economic ties to Bangladesh, evacuated non-essential staff from its embassy and consulates in the country.
Schools and universities, which had been closed since mid-July due to the protests, have reopened. Public transport and garment factories, crucial to the economy, also resumed operations. The protests that led to Hasina’s fall were initially sparked by opposition to public sector job quotas favoring families of 1971 independence war veterans, perceived as benefiting the ruling party’s allies.
International and Domestic Support
President Mohammed Shahabuddin suggested including a war veteran in the interim government. Pakistan expressed solidarity with Bangladesh, hoping for a swift return to normalcy. Student leader Nahid Islam mentioned that they have proposed 10-15 members for the interim government, including civil society and student representatives, and expect the final list to be confirmed within 24 hours. Hasina is currently in New Delhi and may travel to Britain, though this has not been confirmed by the British Home Office.