Bangladesh Protesters Want Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus To Lead

On Monday, the country’s acting president and military chief announced that a temporary government would be set up soon. Nahid Islam, a key protest leader, said in a video that Yunus agreed to lead the interim government. Yunus, famous for starting microlending, had faced corruption charges during Hasina’s time in power. He claimed these charges were driven by revenge.

Hasina’s resignation followed weeks of violent protests against a job quota system. Demonstrators attacked her official residence and other buildings connected to her party. 

The situation has worsened Bangladesh’s instability, which already struggles with high unemployment, corruption, and climate change. Dhaka’s main airport has even been shut down due to security issues.

Violence related to Hasina’s resignation resulted in at least 109 deaths and many injuries. Protesters attacked a hotel in Jashore, and there were deadly incidents in Savar and Dhaka’s Uttara neighborhood. General Waker-uz-Zaman has temporarily taken charge to handle the unrest. President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced that Parliament would be dissolved and a new government would be formed soon, leading to new elections.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has urged people to stay calm and not take the law into their own hands. What began as protests over job quotas have turned into a significant challenge to Hasina’s rule. The military, known for its history of coups, has promised to look into the recent violence, which has resulted in nearly 300 deaths since mid-July.

Hasina, who served for over 20 years, arrived in India after stepping down and might travel to the UK. Her departure marks a big change in Bangladesh’s political scene, raising questions about the country’s future stability.